Randeep Ramesh | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/randeepramesh
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Fri, 09 Dec 2016 16:27:27 GMT2016-12-09T16:27:27Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
America elects Donald Trump - Politics Weekly podcasthttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/nov/09/america-elects-donald-trump-politics-weekly-podcast
<p>Anushka Asthana is joined by Gary Younge, Randeep Ramesh, Hannah Peaker and Mona Chalabi to discuss the election of Donald Trump as 45th president of the United States. As reaction pours in from around the world, we look at what powers he’ll have and why the polls got it so wrong</p><p><a href="https://membership.theguardian.com/supporter?INTCMP=gdnwb_copts_editorial_mem_uselectionday_standfirst">Become a Guardian supporter</a> or <a href="https://contribute.theguardian.com/?INTCMP=co_editorial_uselectionsday_standfirst">make a contribution</a></p><p><strong>Subscribe and review: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/guardian-uk-politics-weekly/id136697472?mt=2">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/guardianpoliticsweekly">Soundcloud</a>, <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/uk-politics">Audioboom</a>, <a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/guardianpoliticsweekly/">Mixcloud</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.acast.com/politicsweekly">Acast</a></strong></p><p>Against all the odds, in the face of huge opposition from his own party, <strong>Donald Trump</strong> has been elected America’s 45th president.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/nov/09/america-elects-donald-trump-politics-weekly-podcast">Continue reading...</a>US newsUS politicsDonald TrumpRepublicansPoliticsWorld newsWed, 09 Nov 2016 18:46:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/nov/09/america-elects-donald-trump-politics-weekly-podcastPhotograph: UPI / Barcroft ImagesPhotograph: UPI / Barcroft ImagesPresented by Anushka Asthana with Gary Younge, Randeep Ramesh , Hannah Peaker and Mona Chalabi. Produced by Phil Maynard2016-11-09T18:46:20ZIran 'wanted Egypt at Syria talks' as Middle Eastern alliances shifthttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/20/iran-egypt-syria-talks-middle-eastern-alliances-shift
<p>Emails show Iran’s foreign minister lobbied for Egypt – region’s most populous Sunni Arab country – to attend talks in Lausanne</p><p>The Iranian foreign minister personally requested that Egypt attend last weekend’s key Syria talks – a move that has sparked concerns that Cairo is being wooed away from its traditional pro-western stance in the region.</p><p>Talks <a draggable="true" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/15/syria-talks-hosted-by-john-kerry-end-without-agreement-on-next-move">convened by the US secretary of state, John Kerry</a>, in the Swiss city of Lausanne last Saturday evening failed to agree on a common strategy with Russia to end the conflict in Syria, now in its sixth year. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/20/iran-egypt-syria-talks-middle-eastern-alliances-shift">Continue reading...</a>IranSyriaEgyptMiddle East and North AfricaAfricaWorld newsUS foreign policyUS newsThu, 20 Oct 2016 10:03:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/20/iran-egypt-syria-talks-middle-eastern-alliances-shiftPhotograph: POOL/ReutersPhotograph: POOL/ReutersRandeep Ramesh2016-10-20T10:03:18ZGrammar schools and boundary reform – Politics Weekly podcasthttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/sep/15/grammar-schools-and-boundary-reform-politics-weekly-podcast
<p>Heather Stewart is joined by Sonia Sodha, Randeep Ramesh and Ryan Shorthouse to discuss Theresa May’s plan to lift the ban on new grammar schools and we hear from Labour’s shadow education secretary Angela Rayner. Plus: are the plans to redraw the constituencies on Britain’s political map fair?</p><p><strong>Subscribe and review: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/guardian-uk-politics-weekly/id136697472?mt=2">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/guardianpoliticsweekly">Soundcloud</a>, <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/uk-politics">Audioboom</a>, <a href="https://www.mixcloud.com/Guardian_Podcasts/">Mixcloud</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.acast.com/politicsweekly">Acast</a></strong></p><p>David Cameron bowed out of parliament this week – and his successor, Theresa May, has already begun dismantling his legacy. One of her first major policy announcements was to call for a lift on the ban on new grammar schools – something that Conservative modernisers had long resisted. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/sep/15/grammar-schools-and-boundary-reform-politics-weekly-podcast">Continue reading...</a>Grammar schoolsSchoolsEducationBoundary changesPoliticsElectoral reformUK newsThu, 15 Sep 2016 15:13:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2016/sep/15/grammar-schools-and-boundary-reform-politics-weekly-podcastPhotograph: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: Geoffrey Swaine/REX/ShutterstockPresented by Heather Stewart with Sonia Sodha, Randeep Ramesh and Ryan Shorthouse; produced by Phil Maynard2016-09-15T15:13:47Z1MDB: The inside story of the world’s biggest financial scandal | Randeep Rameshhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysia
<p>How a jailed former banker and a lone British journalist broke a story that shook the world</p><p>On 22 June 2015, Xavier Justo, a 48-year-old retired Swiss banker, walked towards the front door of his brand new boutique hotel on Koh Samui, a tropical Thai island. He had spent the past three years building the luxurious white-stone complex of chalets and apartments overlooking the shimmering sea and was almost ready to open for business. All he needed was a licence.</p><p>Justo had arrived in Thailand four years earlier, having fled the drab world of finance in London. In 2011, he and his girlfriend Laura toured the country on a motorbike and, two years later, they got married on a secluded beach. The couple eventually settled down in Koh Samui, a tourist hotspot, just an hour’s flight south of Bangkok. After trying out a couple of entrepreneurial ventures, Justo eventually decided that he would go into the hotel business. He bought a plot with an imposing house and began building: adding a gym, villas and a tennis court.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/28/the-guardian-view-on-malaysian-politics-a-scandal-meriting-the-worlds-attention">The Guardian view on Malaysian politics: a scandal meriting the world’s attention | Editorial</a> </p><p>Jho Low likes to party with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton – and calls his Goldman Sachs banker 'bro'</p><p>What troubles me so much is the way in which I see this situation ending – with the destruction of you</p><p>Justo was placed in a cell with 70 other prisoners. The floor was covered with sweat and urine</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysia">Continue reading...</a>1MDBMalaysiaAsia PacificWorld newsBusinessThu, 28 Jul 2016 18:24:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/1mdb-inside-story-worlds-biggest-financial-scandal-malaysiaComposite: Flexi Clay/Reuters/Getty/Composite: Flexi Clay/Reuters/Getty/Randeep Ramesh2016-07-28T18:24:36ZBetting shops odds-on favourites to be targeted by robbers, police warnhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/22/betting-shops-serious-crime-robbery-metropolitan-police-flying-squad
<p>Scotland Yard flying squad says reliance on large cash transactions in lightly staffed shops has led to surge in serious crime</p><p>Almost 40% of all serious crime against businesses targeted betting shops last year, according to a presentation by London flying squad officers to the gambling industry.</p><p>The presentation, which has not been published but has been seen by the Guardian, is the first official indication of police concern about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/22/theres-always-someone-kicking-off-the-perils-of-being-a-bookmaker">vulnerability of the bookmakers’</a> business model, which relies on large cash transactions in lightly staffed premises.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/22/theres-always-someone-kicking-off-the-perils-of-being-a-bookmaker">'There's always someone kicking off': the perils of being a bookmaker</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/31/big-gamble-dangerous-british-betting-shops">The big gamble: the dangerous world of British betting shops | Tom Lamont</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/22/betting-shops-serious-crime-robbery-metropolitan-police-flying-squad">Continue reading...</a>GamblingCrimeFixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs)UK newsMetropolitan policePoliceLadbrokesLondonSocietyFri, 22 Jul 2016 17:16:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/22/betting-shops-serious-crime-robbery-metropolitan-police-flying-squadPhotograph: Alex Segre / Alamy/AlamyPhotograph: Alex Segre / Alamy/AlamyRandeep Ramesh2016-07-22T17:16:23ZThe far right are coming: Brexit has helped them along – videohttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2016/jul/07/the-far-right-are-coming-brexit-has-helped-them-along-video
<p>The EU referendum debate and result has laid ground for the far right to gain momentum, argues the Guardian’s social affairs editor Randeep Ramesh. He says the language of politicians which panders to xenophobia and violence will legitimise groups such as the English Defence League and the British National party</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2016/jul/07/the-far-right-are-coming-brexit-has-helped-them-along-video">Continue reading...</a>The far rightEU referendum and BrexitPoliticsEuropean UnionEuropeThu, 07 Jul 2016 07:00:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/video/2016/jul/07/the-far-right-are-coming-brexit-has-helped-them-along-videoPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesRandeep Ramesh, Leah Green and Bruno Rinvolucri2016-07-07T07:00:37ZRacism is spreading like arsenic in the water supply | Randeep Rameshhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/28/racism-neo-nazis-britain
<p>Now neo-Nazis are being given a voice on the news. Britain must guard against extremists seducing others with racist views</p><p>One of the genies uncorked by the referendum on the EU has been low-lying fascism and extreme nationalism. This is not to say that all leavers were racists. Far from it. But one of the political forces that have been unleashed is a form of dangerous nativism that unchecked will threaten us all.</p><p>It’s clear from the barrage of reports that a form of bigotry in everyday conversation is being legitimised. It is not racist to worry about high levels of immigration but <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/27/brexit-racism-eu-referendum-racist-incidents-politicians-media">a climate of fear is being created</a> in the name of leavers. There are reports of schoolchildren terrified of being deported. “Polish vermin”, “Paki cunt” and “send them home” seem to be becoming something that immigrants and non-whites have to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/26/racist-incidents-feared-to-be-linked-to-brexit-result-reported-in-england-and-wales">once again have to endure</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/27/brexit-racism-eu-referendum-racist-incidents-politicians-media">Brexit has given voice to racism – and too many are complicit | Miqdaad Versi</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/27/family-safe-eastern-europeans-brexit-britain-eu-referendum">'My family doesn't feel safe here any more': eastern Europeans on Brexit</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/28/racism-neo-nazis-britain">Continue reading...</a>EU referendum and BrexitUK newsEuropean UnionForeign policyPoliticsRace issuesWorld newsTue, 28 Jun 2016 14:48:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/28/racism-neo-nazis-britainPhotograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianPhotograph: Sarah Lee for the GuardianRandeep Ramesh2016-06-28T14:48:39ZNicola Sturgeon says second Scottish referendum 'highly likely' – as it happenedhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe
<ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/24/eu-referendum-brexit-live-europe-leave-remain-britain">Follow our new EU referendum liveblog here</a></li><li>Cameron to resign after losing referendum vote</li><li>Boris Johnson: ‘No haste’ to start Brexit process</li><li>Pound falls sharply as Bank of England urges calm<br></li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:47:52.456Z">12.47pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’re bringing this blog to a close, but fear not, Haroon Siddique has launched a new live blog for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/24/eu-referendum-brexit-live-europe-leave-remain-britain">all the latest Brexit reaction and fallout</a>. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:43:38.135Z">12.43pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Philip Oltermann provides this translation of Merkel’s remarks. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:30:13.281Z">12.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Associated Press has more on German chancellor Angela Merkel’s reaction. She said the European Union was strong enough to find the “right answers” to Britain’s vote to leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:19:23.446Z">12.19pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sir David Attenborough has expressed his sadness at the prospects for Britain’s environment following the country’s vote to leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:16:22.706Z">12.16pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Jeremy Corbyn faces a no confidence motion in his leadership from two of his MPs. </p><p>Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey have sent a letter to John Cryer, chair of the parliamentary Labour party, submitting the motion. <br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:08:37.712Z">12.08pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>More on joint efforts by Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, to secure some kind of referendum opt-out for Scotland and London.</p><p>Here’s what Sturgeon said:</p><p>I have made it clear to the prime minister this morning that the Scottish government must be fully and directly involved in any and all decisions about the next steps that the UK government intends to take. </p><p>We will also be seeking direct discussions with the EU institutions and its member states including the earliest possible meeting with the President of the European Commission. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spokesman for <a href="https://twitter.com/SadiqKhan">@SadiqKhan</a> confirms he has spoken to <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon">@NicolaSturgeon</a> about need for Scotland+London to have seat at Brexit negotiating table.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T11:03:48.773Z">12.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:53:47.326Z">11.53am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/131215">petition for a second EU referendum</a> is so popular that site has crashed.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:50:28.408Z">11.50am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s the full text of Boris Johnson’s comments:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:50:16.056Z">11.50am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The sun in shining in Clacton, Essex, and the mood in Ukip’s heartland is just as upbeat. </p><p>In the seaside town’s centre, Rob Blyth, 53, said he was delighted by the vote. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:44:55.196Z">11.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The president of the European commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has rejected suggestions that Brexit will trigger the end of the European Union. Asked whether British withdrawal would bring the end of the EU, he gave a one-word answer: “No.” Officials at the press conference burst into applause.</p><p>Juncker stressed the British government must start negotiations to terminate Britain’s relationship with the EU “as soon as possible, however painful that process might be”. But it is not obvious that the EU has any legal means to compel the UK to start negotiations, under the article 50 procedure.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:42:09.914Z">11.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Now it’s German chancellor Angela Merkel’s turn to react. “There is no way around it. This is a blow to Europe,” she says. </p><p>“What happens in the next days, months, years - will depend on what we, the remaining 27 EU nations are able and willing to do.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:39:05.422Z">11.39am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, has said: “The British people have expressed their wish to leave. We regret this decision but respect it.”</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JunckerEU">@JunckerEU</a> "The British people have expressed their wish to leave. We regret this decision but respect it" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a> <a href="https://t.co/zAMN7LCKQw">pic.twitter.com/zAMN7LCKQw</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:35:48.295Z">11.35am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sturgeon says a second independence referendum is “highly likely”. She wants to explore all options to stay in the EU. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:34:35.993Z">11.34am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sturgeon says the option of a second Scottish independence referendum is on the table. There are many people who voted against independence who are reassessing their decision in the light of vote to leave the EU, Sturgeon says.</p><p>She adds: “My priority will be to act in the best interest of Scotland. I’m proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday. We said clearly we don’t want to leave the European Union.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:31:46.943Z">11.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sturgeon says she intends to explore all means possible of maintaining Scotland’s place in the EU. She has called for an urgent meeting with the president of the European commission. </p><p>Sturgeon says she has talked to the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who shares her views about London’s place in the EU. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:28:34.321Z">11.28am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Nicola Sturgeon is now giving her reaction. She says the vote in favour in Scotland was “significant” as it came after positive case for immigration. The vote is a sign of divergence between Scotland and the rest of the UK, she adds. </p><p>She says taking the UK out of the EU against the will of Scots is “democratically unacceptable”. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:24:16.574Z">11.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The president of the EU commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, says there will be no re-negotiation on Britain’s membership of the EU. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:22:01.075Z">11.22am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Michael Gove also pays tribute to Cameron, who he says should be remembered as a “great prime minister”. </p><p>He says the vote to leave is the start to a process. Officials and diplomats can start to scope out the best possible terms for Britain, Gove says. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:17:36.013Z">11.17am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Johnson says he agrees with Cameron’s decision not to immediately invoke article 50 to leave the EU. He says the EU is no longer right for this country. He claims young people can look forward to a prosperous future if we take back control from the EU. </p><p>He adds: </p><p>Above all we can find our voice in the world again. Powerful, liberal, humane, an extraordinary force for good. Yesterday the British people have spoken up for democracy. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:13:47.742Z">11.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Boris Johnson pays tribute to Cameron as a “brave and principled man” and praised his “compassionate Conservatism”. He also thanked Cameron for holding a referendum. He said holding the referendum was “right and inevitable”. It was about the right of people to elect people who make key decisions in their lives. “They have decided to vote to take back control,” he said. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:10:52.956Z">11.10am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Vote Leave is holding a press conference. Vote Leave’s chair, Gisela Stuart, pledges that Britain will remain a good neighbour. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:09:03.025Z">11.09am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Martin McGuinness has warned that the impact of Brexit would be “very profound” for Northern Ireland.</p><p>The Sinn Féin deputy first minister of Northern Ireland said David Cameron had been “tow-towing” to the “little Englander mentality” and yet people in Northern Ireland both from the unionist and nationalist community had voted against that.<br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:07:36.067Z">11.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>John Kampfner, former New Statesman editor and now chief executive of the Creative Industries Federation – whose members overwhelmingly backed remain, has pledged it will now do a bit of necessary bridge building.</p><p>He said: “Within the UK, we will play our part in helping to bridge divides within and between the nations and regions of the country.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T10:04:52.446Z">11.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s a regional breakdown of the result.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:59:59.588Z">10.59am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In the village of Birstall a handful of people were paying their respects at the memorial to Jo Cox in the village square, just around the corner from where she was killed a week ago.</p><p>The area of Kirklees, which includes Cox’s constituency of Batley and Spen, voted to leave by 55.7% on a 71% turnout, slightly lower than surrounding areas Wakefield (66.4%) and Barnsley (68.3%).</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A handful of mourners at the Jo Cox memorial in Birstall. One says he had hoped "England would be behind us". <a href="https://t.co/Levs3sfDKs">pic.twitter.com/Levs3sfDKs</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:57:29.075Z">10.57am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Welsh first minister, Carwyn Jones, has said he wants a place within the team that will negotiate the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. He expressed deep concerns that Welsh jobs would be at risk and was gloomy about the future of the UK.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welsh first minister Carwyn Jones - time to unite, to think clearly. <a href="https://t.co/7c4v2baoJ9">https://t.co/7c4v2baoJ9</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:53:40.550Z">10.53am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has invited his counterparts from the six founding members of the EU – France, Germany Belgium, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg – to Berlin for an emergency summit tomorrow. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:49:46.724Z">10.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland, has expressed her delight at the Brexit outcome.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:45:08.450Z">10.45am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s a video of Boris Johnson’s car being blocked by cyclists.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:40:59.648Z">10.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Brexit vote has left senior EU climate officials reeling, with shock and depression already mingling with fears that the “dirty man of Europe” may stage a comeback.</p><p>Officials will be closely scanning the British political scene for signs of commitment to the Paris agreement, the 2020 climate targets and, above all, the bloc’s carbon market, the Emissions Trading System (ETS).</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:38:14.754Z">10.38am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Tony Blair said the referendum result has made him “sad for our country, for Europe, for the world” and he turned on Jeremy Corbyn for a “lukewarm” and backward-looking Labour campaign. <br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:15:21.869Z">10.15am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s video of Boris driving away from his home to boos and shouts of “shame on you” and worse. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boris soundly booed this morning <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorisJohnson?src=hash">#BorisJohnson</a> <a href="https://t.co/x4xBOCnhk0">pic.twitter.com/x4xBOCnhk0</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:12:58.259Z">10.12am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Festivalgoers at Glastonbury are waking up to the multiple shocks of the leave victory, Cameron’s resignation and a rain-free night.</p><p>“Aargh, I live in a country of fascists,” one person was heard shouting from his tent just after 7am.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T09:08:37.463Z">10.08am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Boos greeted leave campaigner Boris Johnson as he left his London home this morning. </p><p>Johnson, who is the favourite to succeed David Cameron as prime minister, said little to waiting reporters. <br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:51:11.799Z">9.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The arts face many challenges in the wake of the Brexit vote, the actor and director Samuel West has warned. West, who is chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, said:</p><p>The vast majority of those working in the cultural sector backed a vote to remain. We are now very concerned about our ability to access important European funding, such as the €1.3bn Creative Europe programme. But the implications for the arts don’t end with money. There are a host of other issues that we must address over the coming months: international artistic exchange, export of cultural products, copyright, visas and access to training in European centres of excellence, to name just some. The National Campaign for the Arts will do all it can to ensure that an exit from the EU does not mean a fall from our position as world leaders in the arts and creativity.</p><p>We call on the secretary of state for culture, media and sport to do everything in his power to ensure that there is no further damage to the sector as a result of yesterday’s vote. This has been a hard-fought and difficult campaign. Now more than ever the arts need resources and support to allow us to play a role in bringing communities back together and to continue to fly the flag for British culture.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:46:46.037Z">9.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Guardian reporter <strong>Saeed Kamali Dehghan</strong> has sent this from Oslo, where Norwegians have been closely watching the results of the referendum in the UK – even though they are not part of the European Union.</p><p>Reeta Torronen, 37, who works at an advertising company, expressed worries about the future of the EU without Britain. “I am scared,” she said. “That might be the beginning of whole EU falling apart. Britain has money and power and the EU would be much weaker without it.”</p><p>“Shock and disbelief of the yes-side,” read the main headline on the website of the newspaper Aftenposten. Another Norwegian daily, Dagens Næringsliv, concluded that the financial consequences of the Brexit would be “brutal. This is what we feared would happen.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:46:22.115Z">9.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, says Britain will have to “reimagine” its place in the world in the wake of the vote but should continue to cherish “our wonderfully diverse society”.<br></p><p>The vote to withdraw from the European Union means that now we must all reimagine both what it means to be the United Kingdom in an interdependent world and what values and virtues should shape and guide our relationships with others.</p><p>We must now unite in a common task to build a generous and forward looking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world. We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers. Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:34:19.955Z">9.34am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, has said he would have preferred to the prime minister to remain longer in his post. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:29:33.196Z">9.29am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The US presidential hopeful <strong>Donald </strong><strong>Trump</strong> has said it is a “great thing” that the people of the UK have “taken back their country”. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:24:07.830Z">9.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Our reporter on the ground in Germany, <strong>Kate Connolly</strong>, has sent this report of the reaction in Berlin: </p><p>Angela Merkel is meeting her party and parliamentary heads in the chancellery at 11.30am (10.30am UK time), for an emergency meeting to discuss the consequences of the UK’s Brexit vote. Various cabinet ministers are also expected to be present. She is due to deliver a statement an hour later..</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:22:42.459Z">9.22am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, has called it a “dark and uncertain morning.”<br></p><p>She said: “People in Wales and elsewhere in the UK have voted to leave the European Union – their will must be respected.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:20:11.767Z">9.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s the full text of Cameron’s statement:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:16:28.962Z">9.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The EU referendum turnout represents the the single highest UK-wide election turnout of the past two decades. <br></p><p>The final turnout was 72.2%, higher than any general referendum since 1997 but lower than that recorded in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 when turnout reached 84.6%. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:14:44.487Z">9.14am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Carney concluded his statement with this:</p><p>A few months ago the Bank judged that the risks around the referendum were the most significant near-term domestic risk to financial stability. To mitigate them, the Bank has put in place extensive contingency plans and these plans beginning with ensuring that the core of our financial system is well capitalised, is liquid and is strong ... All of these resources will support orderly market functioning in the face of any short term volatility. </p><p>The Bank will continue to consult and cooperate with all relevant domestic and international authorities, to ensure that the UK financial system can absorb any stresses and can do its job of concentrating of serving the real economy. That economy will adjust to new trading relationships that will be put in place over time. And it is these public and private decisions which will determine the UK’s longterm economic prospects. The best contributing we can make is to continue to pursue relentlessly our responsibilities for monetary and financial stability. We have taken all the necessary steps to prepare for today’s events and in the future we will not hesitate to take any additional measures required. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carney's words don't appear to have done much to help bank shares, although FTSE losses at 4.8% compared with almost double that at the open</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:07:41.062Z">9.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s the video of Mark Carney’s statement this morning.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T08:03:10.100Z">9.03am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>More calming words from Carney:</p><p>The capital requirements of our largest banks are now 10 times higher than before the financial crisis. The Bank of England has stress-tested those banks against scenarios far more severe than our country currently faces. As a result of these actions UK banks have raised over £130bn of new capital and now have more than £600bn of high quality liquid assets. That substantial capital and huge liquidity gives banks the flexibility they need to continue to lend to UK businesses and households even during challenging times.</p><p>Moreover, as a backstop to support the functioning of the markets the Bank of England stands ready to provide more than £250bn of additional funds through its normal market operations. The Bank of England is also able to provide substantial liquidity in foreign currency if requires. We expect institutions to draw on this funding if and when appropriate. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:55:48.957Z">8.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Carney added: </p><p>It will take some time for the UK to establish a new relationship with Europe and the rest of the world. So some market and economic volatility can be expected as this process unfolds, but we are well prepared for this. Her Majesty’s Treasury and the Bank of England have engaged in extensive contingency planning and the chancellor and I have remained in close contact including through the night and this morning. The Bank of England will not hesitate to take additional measure as required, as markets adjust.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:51:09.228Z">8.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, is making a statement to try to reassure the markets. He says the Bank will “not hesitate” to steady the markets. Carney said it will make an extra £250bn available to the banks. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:47:11.519Z">8.47am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The recriminations in the Labour party continue. The former EU commissioner and Labour cabinet member Lord (Peter) Mandelson has accused Jeremy Corbyn of sending “muted” and “mixed messages” on the EU.<br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:44:57.254Z">8.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has said the result of the referendum left Cameron no choice but to resign.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:34:05.161Z">8.34am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>You can listen to the full audio of Cameron’s resignation speech here.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:33:26.032Z">8.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the key quote from Cameron, where he announces his resignation.</p><p>I was absolutely clear [in the referendum] about my belief that Britain is stronger, safer and better off inside the European Union. And I made clear the referendum was about this and this alone, not the future of any single politician, including myself. </p><p>But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:27:19.452Z">8.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:26:49.602Z">8.26am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>He says he thinks Britain can survive outside the EU, and find a way.</p><p>He says he loves this country, and has been honoured to serve it. He will do all he can to help it succeed.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:25:46.313Z">8.25am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>He says he is very proud of what he has done as prime minister.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:22:09.493Z">8.22am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>He says he would reassure markets and investors that the economy is fundamentally strong.</p><p>And he would reassure Britons living abroad, and EU nationals here, that there will be no immediate changes.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:21:42.744Z">8.21am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:20:59.344Z">8.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Cameron says he wants to thank all those who took part in the campaign.</p><p>The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:20:07.910Z">8.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Cameron says the country has taken party in a giant democratic exercise.</p><p>All the people have had their say.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:19:12.452Z">8.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Telegraph’s James Kirkup.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Best guess: Cameron resigns Tory leadership immediately but remains PM until a new party leader is chosen. Last contest took c3 months.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:16:28.247Z">8.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>David Cameron is about to deliver his statement outside Number 10.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:15:53.272Z">8.15am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rumour suddenly gaining traction that Cameron to resign - not confirmed by any stretch</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:14:07.951Z">8.14am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Shares plunged and the pound plummeted to a 31-year low as panicked traders reacted to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/britain-votes-for-brexit-eu-referendum-david-cameron">the UK’s vote to leave the EU</a> and the prospect of recession amid months of market turmoil.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/ftse">FTSE</a> 100 tumbled 530 points, or 8.4%, within the first few minutes of trading. That mirrored sharp losses for the pound overnight as investors sold sterling on the back of growing worries about the UK’s economic outlook.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jun/24/ftse-100-and-sterling-plunge-on-brexit-panic">FTSE 100 and sterling plunge on Brexit panic</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:11:04.478Z">8.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Alex Salmond has said he believes Scotland must now stage a second independence referendum before the UK’s exit from the European Union is agreed – a timescale that suggests a new referendum within the next two years.</p><p>He said the Brexit vote, despite a large majority in Scotland in favour of the EU, is a material change in Scotland’s constitutional position. Salmond told BBC Radio Scotland: “This changes the whole context of Scottish independence.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:10:36.538Z">8.10am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>An orchestrated move against Jeremy Corbyn appears to be under way as Labour’s shadow cabinet prepares to convene this morning. There are rumours of some of his MPs preparing to sign a motion of no confidence in him and some are calling for him to resign - anonymously at this stage.</p><p>The Labour leader gave a radio interview in which he said the main driver for the Brexit vote was economic instability.</p><p>Corbyn has to go. The referendum proved he is worse than even his worse critics said he would be. Even people who supported him have seen he is not up to it. He can’t motivate Labour voters, let alone persuade anyone else. He can’t handle a campaign or even manage to get a message across in an interview. But it is not just that he is incompetent and not up to the job: he has no ideas beyond his vacuous slogans. He hasn’t set out a single serious policy since he became leader and the views he does have are diametrically opposed to the public’s.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:05:57.153Z">8.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The European council president, Donald Tusk, has promised “wider reflection” on the future of the union in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave, but suggested that Brexit could make the union stronger.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T07:02:03.557Z">8.02am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the clip of <a href="https://amp.twimg.com/v/6ca5195b-a8a5-4b20-b209-92440b9a25d6"><strong>Nigel Farage, </strong>the Ukip leader, saying he could not guarantee that an extra £350m a week would go to the NHS as a result of the UK leaving the EU.</a> He told ITV that that was a promise from the Vote Leave campaign, not from him. He would not have made it, he said.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:55:01.203Z">7.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>EU leaders are going to meet in Brussels next week without the UK present to decide their stance for the withdrawal negotiations, Sky’s <strong>Faisal Islam </strong>reports.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Informal meeting of EU 27 next week without PM in the room to decide common negotiating position vs UK on exit negotiations</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:46:04.123Z">7.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/gallery/2016/jun/24/britain-votes-to-leave-the-european-union-in-pictures">Britain votes to leave the European Union – in pictures</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:41:07.656Z">7.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell has urged the government to delay invoking article 50 on leaving the EU. Speaking to BBC News, Lord O’Donnell, who led the civil service until 2011, also urged David Cameron to consider whether he is the right person to lead negotiations to exit the bloc.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:40:54.314Z">7.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Jeremy Corbyn</strong>, the Labour leader, tells the BBC he thinks the government must invoke article 50 of the Lisbon treaty now, to start the two-year withdrawal process from the EU.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:30:23.300Z">7.30am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Nigel Farage</strong>, the Ukip leader, is on the Today programme now.</p><p>The first thing we have to do is have a government that is committed to Brexit. That is absolutely key. I think it is very difficult for [Cameron] to stay on as prime minister given that he involved himself so heavily in the campaign, told us that dreadful things would happen to us if we were to leave, recession, threats of war and all the rest of it. I find it difficult to believe that he could become a Brexit prime minister. I might be wrong, but I doubt it.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:23:37.783Z">7.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>David Cameron is due to give his statement from Downing Street at 8am, according to Sky. The stock market also opens at 8am, as usual, meaning that we will be able to see market reaction to what he says as he says it.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:17:09.539Z">7.17am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>All the referendum results are now in. Here are the key figures.<br></p><p><strong><em>Areas</em></strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:13:06.194Z">7.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Bank of England </strong>has issued a statement this morning:</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/bankofenglandgovernor">Bank of England</a> is monitoring developments closely. It has undertaken extensive contingency planning and is working closely with HM Treasury, other domestic authorities and overseas central banks.</p><p>The Bank of England will take all necessary steps to meet its responsibilities for monetary and financial stability.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/jun/24/global-markets-ftse-pound-uk-leave-eu-brexit-live-updates">Global markets plunge after UK votes to leave EU – live updates</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:05:59.728Z">7.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the scene in Downing Street, where David Cameron is due to make a statement.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waiting for the PM in Downing Street <a href="https://t.co/Q35W8DrZuE">pic.twitter.com/Q35W8DrZuE</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Atmosphere in Downing St like that before a funeral, media mourners arriving puffy-eyed, nodding to friends, steping with exaggerated care.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:05:55.848Z">7.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Labour leave campaigner Kate Hoey has urged the party’s leadership to address the “huge disconnect” it has with its supporters outside London, while insisting Jeremy Corbyn was not to blame the party’s problems.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T06:00:40.422Z">7.00am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The FT’s Jim Pickard has more from the script that Labour MPs are being told to use this morning. It says that Labour is “far closer to the centre of gravity of the British public than other other political parties”. It also says Jeremy Corbyn is “uniquely placed” to represent the nation’s views because he is a “critical remainer”.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is some of the script that Labour MPs have been ordered to quote from on the airwaves today... <a href="https://t.co/6gSjlMZgNC">pic.twitter.com/6gSjlMZgNC</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Labour source re Corbyn lines <a href="https://t.co/m4J9EWkVp6">pic.twitter.com/m4J9EWkVp6</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:47:53.055Z">6.47am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Nicola Sturgeon,</strong> Scotland’s first minister, will now be gauging the strength of feeling among the Scottish National party’s most senior figures, particularly her predecessor Alex Salmond, on whether she should now call clearly for a second independence referendum or simply demand that this option is put on the table.</p><p>Salmond, by far the second-most influential SNP figure after Sturgeon, made clear a month ago he believes there is a powerful case for a quick second referendum within two years of an EU exit vote. <a draggable="true" href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/26/alex-salmond-scottish-independence-vote-likely-brexit">He told the Victoria Derbyshire BBC referendum debate in late May a new referendum “would have to be [held] within the two-year period of the UK negotiating withdrawal; it would have to be.” </a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:45:54.576Z">6.45am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Oliver Holmes</strong> in Bangkok has rounded up some perspective from east Asia on the UK’s referendum result: </p><p>There has been little reaction to the UK’s Brexit vote so far from east Asian leaders, but the widely anticipated tumbles in global stock markets have already begun to play out.</p><p>A senior Bank of Thailand official <a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1017473/bot-unfazed-by-prospect-of-brexit">told</a> the Bangkok Post that Brexit would have minimal domestic impact, but could pose a long-term threat.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:41:02.031Z">6.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The FT’s <strong>Jim Pickard</strong> has a copy of the script that Labour MPs have been told to use when giving interviews overnight.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SCRIPT: Those poor Labour MPs...so many words to remember...so little time to mug up...this is one of many pages.... <a href="https://t.co/rAQ1MEz94D">pic.twitter.com/rAQ1MEz94D</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:39:01.967Z">6.39am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>John Redwood,</b> the pro-Brexit Tory, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “This has to be a Brexit government.” But he sidestepped questions about who he would like to see as prime minister.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:37:23.813Z">6.37am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Nigel Farage</b>, the Ukip leader, has told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that he thought it was a mistake for the Vote Leave campaign to say that it could save £350m a week by leaving the EU and that the money could go to the NHS.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:36:49.212Z">6.36am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:32:14.573Z">6.32am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Frank-Walter Steinmeier,</b> the German foreign minister, has said this is a sad day for Britain and for the EU.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steinmeier?src=hash">#Steinmeier</a>: The early morning news from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatBritain?src=hash">#GreatBritain</a> are truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Europe?src=hash">#Europe</a>+the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedKingdom?src=hash">#UnitedKingdom</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UK?src=hash">#UK</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:31:24.790Z">6.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Reuters in Sydney has this reaction from Australia’s <strong>Malcolm Turnbull</strong> on Brexit.</p><p>Australia’s prime minister said on Friday he expects a period of uncertainty and some instability in global markets as Britain was on the verge of Brexit but the immediate impact on Australia will be limited. </p><p>‘The impact on Australia immediately, directly, from a legal point of view, will be very limited because it will take some years for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, to negotiate an exit,’ he told reporters. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:28:50.908Z">6.28am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Green MP <strong>Caroline Lucas</strong> described the referendum result as heartbreaking and called for voting reform to allow the public to better express their anger. </p><p>Speaking to BBC News she said: </p><p>I think this is an absolutely devastating result. Personally, I feel pretty heartbroken. It has revealed massive divisions within our country. There is such levels of alienation and anger and frustration which is real wake up call to Westminster. We have got here basically people rebelling against 98% of MPs.</p><p>The anger that we are hearing from around the country actually was less to do with EU per se and more to do with a sense of just having been un-heard, un-listened to for so many years.</p><p>We’re calling on all sides to come together to fix our democracy here in Britain – starting with electoral reform for the House of Commons. The democratic deficit will not be fixed by leaving the EU – we need to look closer to home too.</p><p>The prospect of shutting down the right to free movement is frightening, as are the consequences of a campaign that has at times pitted neighbours against one another, whipped up fear and allowed lies and myths to take the place of truth. Britain deserves better and I am pledging anew to fight against division on behalf of my constituents.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:27:39.096Z">6.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Marine Le Pen,</b> the leader of France’s far-right Front National party, has welcomed the result of the referendum. She says she wants a similar referendum in France.</p><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Victoire de la liberté ! Comme je le demande depuis des années, il faut maintenant le même référendum en France et dans les pays de l'UE MLP</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:22:12.452Z">6.22am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Manfred Weber,</strong> the chairman of the European People’s Party group of centre-right parties in the European parliament, has used Twitter to say that he thinks the UK should leave the EU within two years. The EPP is the biggest group in the parliament.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We respect and regret the decision of the British voters. It causes major damage to both sides. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> 1/4</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This was a British vote, not a European vote. Cooperation within Europe is a question of self-assertion of the continent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UKReferendum?src=hash">#UKReferendum</a> 2/4</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We want a better and smarter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Europe?src=hash">#Europe</a>. We have to convince the people and bring Europe back to them. <a href="https://twitter.com/EPPGroup">@EPPGroup</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Exit negotiations should be concluded within 2 years at max. There cannot be any special treatment. Leave means leave. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> 4/4</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:13:49.432Z">6.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Liam Fox,</strong> the Conservative former defence secretary, told the BBC it would be a mistake for David Cameron to invoke article 50 (the procedure that starts the two-year countdown to withdrawal) immediately. Cameron said he would do this immediately in the event of a Brexit vote during the campaign. But Fox said that that was a campaign promise that it would be best to ignore.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:07:33.635Z">6.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We are going to get a statement from David Cameron shortly, Sky’s <b>Kay Burley </b>says.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PM to make a statement shortly calling for stability and unity <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:06:17.711Z">6.06am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>John McDonnell</strong>, the shadow chancellor, has urged the government to take steps to stablise the economy.</p><p>People will be waking up this morning to turmoil in the markets and the pound crashing, and fearing the emergency budget the chancellor threatened to hike their taxes and cut public services.</p><p>The government must now take steps to stabilise the economy, and to protect jobs, pensions and wages. Labour will not allow any instability to be paid for by the working people of this country.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:04:37.573Z">6.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Geert Wilders</strong>, a Dutch far-right politician, said <a href="http://geertwilders.nl/index.php/94-english/1999-pvv-congratulates-british-with-independence-day">on his website</a> that Brexit has created a precedent for other European countries to exit the EU:</p><p>We want be in charge of our own country, our own money, our own borders, and our own immigration policy. If I become prime minister, there will be a referendum in the Netherlands on leaving the European Union as well. Let the Dutch people decide.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ByeByeEU?src=hash">#ByeByeEU</a><a href="https://t.co/kXZ0aQtgmx">https://t.co/kXZ0aQtgmx</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:04:02.329Z">6.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leave campaign has officially passed the winning post in the EU referendum, the Press Association reports.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:02:47.969Z">6.02am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The chair of Vote Leave, <strong>Gisela Stuart</strong>, broke into her native German to reassure Europe that Britain would continue to be an “open” and welcoming society” despite the decision to leave the EU.</p><p>In a speech in Manchester, Stuart provided this translation:</p><p>What I have just said [in German] is to make clear to all our colleagues in Europe, that Britain is an open society, it is a welcoming society and we will be continuing to be cooperating with European countries on an international level.</p><p>This referendum has taken place against the backdropof all the might of institutions and of money. The people were given the impression that they had no choice but to remain, but they voted to leave. It is now incumbent on all of us to be very calm ... and work together.</p><p>It is our opportunity to take back control of democratic decisions but also an opportunity to renew some of those processes. Vote Leave has been a cross party organisation. I think what happens now also has to be a cross party effort, because we have a responsibility to act in the best long term interest of this country.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T05:01:04.645Z">6.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>JK Rowling </b>has used Twitter to says that Daivd Cameron’s legacy will be “breaking up two unions”.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron's legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen. <a href="https://t.co/4MDj7pndcq">https://t.co/4MDj7pndcq</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:58:26.342Z">5.58am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>EU referendum: how Britain voted out</strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:58:04.709Z">5.58am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Spectator’s <b>James Forsyth.</b></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looking at regional breakdown, clear 1 reason OUT won is that Remain didn’t really have any politicians who could speak to the working class</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:56:41.974Z">5.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With over 90 % of the results reported, these are the areas that voted most in favour of leave or remain:</p><p><strong>Top 10 leave</strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:54:53.452Z">5.54am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LEave 300k votes shy of official winning line with 20 counting areas to go - over 1 million votes ahead</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:50:02.662Z">5.50am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><b>Paddy Ashdown</b> wants David Cameron to stay as prime minister.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Please stay PM, said the pirates who took over the ship as they lead him down to the hold in chains.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:49:19.403Z">5.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from Sky’s <b>Faisal Islam.</b></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fall in sterling in past few hours says <a href="https://twitter.com/EdConwaySky">@EdConwaySky</a> by 15 cents is now bigger than Black Wednesday - FTSe seen 6%+ down</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:49:16.287Z">5.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sinn Féin’s declaration that the British government has “forfeited any mandate” to represent the economic or political interests of Northern Ireland is a restatement of party policy.</p><p>Martin McGuinness, the Sinn Féin deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, has already called for a referendum on the region’s future within the UK in the event of a Brexit vote.</p><p>All the indications are that we are going to see English votes overturning the democratic will of people here in the north of Ireland. Republican and unionist, Catholic and Protestant people have voted in favour of remain.</p><p>The British government as a direct result have forfeited any mandate to represent the interests of people here in the north of Ireland in circumstances where the north is dragged out of Europe as a result of a vote to leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:44:58.975Z">5.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leave campaigners across the country are celebrating the victory for their side:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:44:30.965Z">5.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the BBC’s <b>Laura Kuenssberg.</b></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One source tells me Gove and Boris negotiating the terms of Cameron's departure - only one source</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Different source says Boris and Gove haven't spoken to number 10 yet - deny suggestion deals being done</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:42:08.962Z">5.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>David Davis</strong>, a leave campaigner and Cameron’s opponent in the Tory party’s last leadership race, has backed calls for the prime minister to continue. </p><p>Speaking to Sky News he said: </p><p>What we need now is a sensible policy on negotiating our new relationship with the European Union and stability so we get on with that policy. So long as he appoints a sensible team and gives them the power to do it, I don’t see any threat to him at all. </p><p>One of the things about David Cameron is that he is a very tough cookie and he’s good at getting out of difficult scrapes and difficult corners. I actually think that in the country’s interest he should provide some stability while we do this negotiation, that’s the right thing to do.</p><p>He should give it to someone committed to that aim, and those to people are certainly possibles in that category.</p><p>When you are going through a campaign like this it is very rough and tumble, things are said often that are maybe regretted later. Just as in the 2010 election you may remember Nick Clegg and David Cameron knocking seven bells out of each other, three days after the election they were gazing into each other’s eyes in the rose garden. We will come together as a party, we always have before, we will this time and actually put the interest of the country first, which means a new negotiation with the European Union and that’s the most important thing.</p><p>No I don’t. I think the most important thing now is to deliver on the referendum. That will take two or three years to do, and you want a bit of time for that to bed in before your next election. We have just got enough time.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:38:01.849Z">5.38am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>David Cameron </strong>is expected to address the nation this morning, and he may well be writing his speech now. Here are some of the questions he has to address.</p><p><strong>1 - What will be done to calm the markets?</strong> With the pound in freefall, will the Bank of England intervene? There has even been talk of closing the stock market to stop panic selling of share. Cameron will have to say something to steady nerves.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:32:49.192Z">5.32am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are the latest region by region voting figures.</p><p>They show that Scotland voted to stay in the EU by a large margin - even though the UK as a whole is voting out.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:26:36.719Z">5.26am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Sinn Fein says "British government has forfeited any mandate to represent economic or political interests of people in N Ireland"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:25:47.452Z">5.25am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Patrick Harvie</strong>, the Scottish Green party co-leader, has signalled his party could support a second independence referendum if that was called for by Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:21:16.388Z">5.21am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Guardian’s <strong>Anushka Asthana</strong> says while there will be jubilation at the decision to leave the European Union, for many it will be a traumatic experience. She suggests there could be resignations by party leaders, a second independence referendum in Scotland and even a snap general election.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:19:33.232Z">5.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Northern Ireland has voted remain by a majority of 440,707 to 349,442 for Brexit on an overall turnout of 62.9%. </p><p>There were 11 Westminster constituencies with majorities in favour of remain while seven voted for Brexit. Only one solidly unionist constituency – North Down – had a remain majority.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:14:34.739Z">5.14am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Tory rebel and Brexiter <strong>Andrew Bridgen</strong>, who had called for a new Tory leader and a general election before Christmas, has called on David Cameron to stay to “stabilise the situation”. </p><p>Will it be in the interest of the country for the prime minister to resign this morning? I don’t think so. Given all the volatility at the moment I think we can give the prime minister a little breathing space.</p><p>I don’t think it will come to that. The prime minister will consider what the people have said, I think he will act in the interest of the country. Short term he is going to need to get a grip, reshuffle his cabinet and address the pressing issues of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the financial markets, where there is going to be some short-term volatility.</p><p>That will depend on how long it takes to stabilise the situation and move forward. He has politically exposed himself immensely in this campaign. I think he has been very badly advised, I think he has underestimated the level of support for leave within the parliamentary party, within the wider party and ultimately within the country. I wish the prime minister had stayed above this and been a little more impartial.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:11:25.892Z">5.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As the results unfolded were there any metrics that could help predict whether an area was likely to vote leave or remain? We’ve taken six key measures for each voting area and mapped them against the results.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:10:08.417Z">5.10am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from ITV’s <b>Allegra Stratton.</b></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Am being told that Cameron and Osborne are finished. There will be a "dignified exit" say senior Tories. "Not immediate".</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:08:46.013Z">5.08am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Andy Coulson,</strong> David Cameron’s former communications chief, has just told ITV that he thinks Cameron will be pondering his resignation.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Andy Coulson on set w <a href="https://twitter.com/tombradby">@tombradby</a> saying he thinks the PM "pondering his future". He thinks he should stay, "no time for a novice" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ITVEURef?src=hash">#ITVEURef</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:04:16.769Z">5.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>There’s a state of shock in the City this morning, as investors digest the news that Britain appears to have voted to leave the European Union.</strong></p><p>Markets had rallied yesterday on expectations that the remain side would win, so traders are now facing <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576ca60ee4b030d83eb4a0a6#block-576ca60ee4b030d83eb4a0a6">the prospect of a huge selloff this morning</a>.</p><p>We’re seeing an unraveling of positions now that clearly shows that financial markets were heavily weighted one side. The financial markets looked at the polls and the betting markets – all the information available.</p><p>They suggested it would be close but history suggests that undecideds tend to go with the status quo. We’re now seeing highly volatile financial markets. We’ve had the worst night for the pound since the financial crisis.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T04:01:49.726Z">5.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Commenting on the result of the EU referendum in Scotland, <strong>Nicola Sturgeon</strong> said:</p><p>Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU, and I welcome that endorsement of our European status. And while the overall result remains to be declared, the vote here makes clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union.</p><p>Scotland has contributed significantly to the remain vote across the UK. That reflects the positive campaign the SNP fought, which highlighted the gains and benefits of our EU membership, and people across Scotland have responded to that positive message. We await the final UK-wide result, but Scotland has spoken – and spoken decisively.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:59:47.690Z">4.59am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A Canadian MP is urging the Canadian government to prioritise a UK-Canada trade deal.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Canada should immediately demonstrate respect for the choice made by the British people, &amp; prioritize negotiation of Canada-UK free trade.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:59:27.886Z">4.59am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Asian stock markets are already being routed, as traders watch events unfold in the UK.</strong></p><p>Japan’s Nikkei index has slumped by 7%, a loss of over 1,100 points. That is its worst one-day fall since March 2011, when Fukushima was hit by a devastating earthquake that trigged a tsunami and a nuclear disaster.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:56:46.334Z">4.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’ve had 319 out of 382 results in now. Here are the figures.</p><p><strong><i>Areas</i></strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:51:42.369Z">4.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Stephen Crabb</strong>, the work and pensions secretary, has said the government failed to get its message across to the white working class.</p><p>I just think there is a disconnect with the white working class. We didn’t get our core messages across to them. </p><p>When we tried to explain to them just how important the European single market was to their jobs, their livelihoods, we didn’t quite land those messages successfully. </p><p>There isn’t anybody else around the cabinet table or outside the cabinet, for that matter, or in any of the other political parties who can give this country the kind of leadership skills and abilities that David Cameron can at this, what is going to be very challenging weeks and months for the country. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:46:41.407Z">4.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Chuka Umunna,</strong> the London Labour MP, said that the referendum result highlighted “particular issues” for the Labour Party adding: </p><p>I don’t actually think for a lot of our supporters and voters sovereignty was quite the issue that immigration became. Why did it become such an overwhelming issue in spite of all the warnings of the experts? A lot of people said that you are saying this about the economy but we don’t actually feel we have a lot from that economy for the moment.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:41:41.674Z">4.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The BBC has also called it for leave.</p><p>They are forecasting a four-point leave victory, 52% to 48%.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're calling it - We're out</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:39:24.878Z">4.39am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>ITV are calling it for leave.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ITV CALLS LEAVE WIN<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ITV News calls Remain victory by 52% to 48%. It's done.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:38:30.506Z">4.38am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Liam Fox</strong>, the former defence secretary and leave campaigner, says David Cameron has a duty to stay on as prime minister to see Britain through the “turbulence” that a vote to leave the EU will bring.</p><p>Speaking to Sky News he also suggested Ukip should now disband. On the the prime minister’s future Fox said: </p><p>I think he should stay because there is clearly going to be some short-term turbulence, we have seen that in the markets tonight, although one might ask why they weren’t better prepared for the possibility of a Brexit vote. As the prime minister that gave us the referendum he is best placed to see us through. As prime minister of the coalition he showed that he had the skills to be able keep very disparate groups together. </p><p>That’s a prime minister who understands the sense of duty of taking the thing through to its conclusion. It would be quite wrong, and against his character, just to say, ‘I lost the referendum therefore I’m going.’ There’s a duty to take that process through to a logical conclusion. I hope that’s what we do.</p><p>What Ukip does now is up to them. Most rational people would say, ‘They have actually served their purpose. They set out to have a referendum and to get Britain to leave the European Union. That has been fulfilled. What’s the point of Ukip in the future? Every voter should be asking their member of parliament, ‘Will you stand by the verdict of the British people?’ Because that is what a democracy is.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:33:22.116Z">4.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the lastest forecast from<strong> Michael Thrasher</strong>, the psephologist who is doing the numbers for Sky.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LAtest MIchael Thrasher forecast model - Leave lead trimmed... 52% Leave - 48% Remain</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prof. Michael Thrasher says on Sky News that there is now a 70-80% change of the United Kingdom voting to Leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:31:42.613Z">4.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Chuka Umunna,</strong> the London Labour MP, hit back at the language being used by Nigel Farage in his victory speech (see<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576ca512e4b0be24d34f5bcf#block-576ca512e4b0be24d34f5bcf"> 4.16am)</a>, telling the BBC:</p><p>When [Farage] gets up and says this is a victory for decent, for honest, real ordinary people, that tends to suggest that all the people who have just voted for us to stay don’t fit into that category.</p><p>The challenge for us as policymakers is how do we knit together our society after that division.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:29:43.367Z">4.29am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Wales 21 of 22 results have been declared – 17 for leave, four for remain. Running totals in Wales are 52.9% for leave and 47.1% for remain. Only Gwynedd to go. Wales is very much out.</p><p>Julie Morgan, Labour assembly member for Cardiff North and the wife of former first minister Rhodri Morgan, welcomed a win for remain in the capital. But she said her party needed to analyse why its heartland seats in the valleys and in cities like Swansea and Newport had voted to leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:28:58.139Z">4.28am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>City traders are bracing for a massive selloff when the London stock market opens at 8am.</strong></p><p>The futures market is indicating that the FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares will plunge by 480 points, a drop of around 7.5%.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:27:16.958Z">4.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are some more results.</p><p>South Staffordshire</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:17:35.100Z">4.17am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Bristol voted strongly for staying in the EU, with remain getting more than 53,000 votes more than the leave camp. </p><p>In total, remain got 141,027 votes, more than 62% of the total cast, and leave 87,418. Sources in the leave camp say they were facing an uphill struggle as the city had been strongly leaning left, with the Greens campaigning hard. They also point out that the new mayor, Marvin Rees, had energised Labour voters. Remain supporters cheered the declaration but most left promptly – stunned by the nationwide results. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bristol?src=hash">#bristol</a> votes remain by 141027 leave 87418 <a href="https://t.co/0hhYpU6G5f">pic.twitter.com/0hhYpU6G5f</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:16:48.968Z">4.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is what <strong>Nigel Farage</strong> said to his supporters. Just as he appeared to concede defeat prematurely at the start of the evening, he is now effectively declaring victory.</p><p>If the predications now are right this will be a victory for real people, a victory for ordinary people, a victory for decent people. We have fought against the multinationals, against the big merchant banks, against big politics, against lies against lies, corruption and deceit and today honesty and decency and belief in nation I think now is going to win.</p><p>We will have done it without having to fight, without a single bullet having been fired.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:14:13.608Z">4.14am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The SNP’s Westminster leader, <strong>Angus Robertson</strong>, has told ITV news that the scenario whereby Scotland votes to remain but the rest of UK opts for Brexit will trigger a “constitutional crisis”.</p><p>If there’s a leave vote … then there will be things I’ll want to do very quickly to assert our ability to have a direct voice both with the UK government and with Europe.</p><p>But also our manifesto was very clear that the Scottish parliament should in these circumstances have the right to propose another referendum. Even if we don’t take the decision straightaway that it’s definitely happening in a particular timescale we’ll have to start doing certain things to keep that option open. It takes time to legislate for a referendum. So it’s going to be really important to make sure that every option that is available to Scotland to protect our position is kept open.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:11:57.783Z">4.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In his address to supporters <strong>Nigel Farage</strong> said he and his supporters had taken back control of the country “without a shot being fired”. In the light of the killing of Jo Cox, this went down particularly badly in the remain camp, according to journalists.</p><p>This is from the Independent’s <strong>Jon Stone.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Absolute silence at Remain party as Nigel Farage comes on TV. Shouts of anger when he starts talking about 'victory for real people'</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shouts of "shame" &amp; "that's disgusting" at Remain party when Nigel Farage said Leave had won the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> "without a shot being fired"</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:07:26.688Z">4.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Resounding win for leave in the Tendring area – which includes Clacton – with only 25,210 voting to remain, while 57,437 voted to get out of Europe. </p><p><strong tabindex="-1">Chris Griffiths</strong>, a councillor for the Conservatives, said it was turning into a great night. He said: </p><p>The people have spoken and they’re saying it’s time to leave. There’s a lot of anger and disaffection in the area – they are fed up with Europe.</p><p>We’ve done a much better job in our areas. I’ve been very pleased with this evening.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:06:33.386Z">4.06am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from Sky’s<strong> Roddy Mansfield.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leave breaks through the 500,000 vote advantage over Remain.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:05:44.519Z">4.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sterling dollar over the last 30 years .... <a href="https://t.co/fFd7kUgzJG">pic.twitter.com/fFd7kUgzJG</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We are through 35" says Jeremy Cook at World First. The lowest since 1985. Happens as Nigel Farage appears on TV</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:05:07.235Z">4.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>By 4am, a series of key results had signposted how a victory for leave lay ahead.</p><p>After a lower than expected margin of victory for the remain campaign in Newcastle, where it won the backing of 54% of voters, there was a jolt after midnight when leave captured Sunderland with 61.3% of the vote in a city which has traditionally been a labour stronghold.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:04:44.310Z">4.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Nigel Farage</strong> is addressing supporters. He says he expects leave to win.</p><p>Dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom ... This will be a victory for ordinary people.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:03:08.366Z">4.03am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As John Rentoul points out, we may well end up with an emergency Commons sitting on Saturday.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm in shock. David Cameron's gamble has failed. His career is over. Will the Commons sit on Saturday? Is Boris Johnson really up to it?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T03:01:49.346Z">4.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There are 217 results in now, out of 382. Here are the latest numbers.</p><p>Areas</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With 217 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results in, here are the figures - Stronger, safer, better off 8,042,118 (48.5%) / Take back control 8,544,442 (51.5%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:58:44.484Z">3.58am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is Edinburgh announcing it has voted remain …</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:57:22.502Z">3.57am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Specator’s James Forsyth thinks we may have a general election before too long.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I suspect we might well see a general election before Article 50 is invoked; whoever the PM is seeking a mandate for the planned terms</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:55:30.082Z">3.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Will the Bank of England intervene in the currency markets? Or perhaps cut interest rates? One former member of the Bank’s monetary policy committee thinks the Bank will have to act:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">GBP down to $1.37 presume MPC members been contacted only question what time they will meet and will they cut by 25bp or 50bp</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Sterling is in free fall at the moment, from the optimism at 10.20pm the pound is now 10% lower," said Jeremy Cook at World First</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"It looks like its goose is cooked," says Jeremy Cook, talking about the pound</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:55:27.332Z">3.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Conservative MP<strong> Jacob Rees-Mogg</strong> told the BBC that, if there is a recession, it won’t be because of Brexit.</p><p>There will be no recession because of Brexit, though there are fragile economic conditions in other parts of the world. I can’t say no recession ever, but not caused by Brexit specifically.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:53:44.647Z">3.53am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Remain source says it looks 'very tough from here'</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:52:56.847Z">3.52am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Hilary Benn</strong>, the shadow foreign secretary, has said David Cameron will have to resign if the UK votes to leave.</p><p>If there were to be a vote to Leave, then as far as the Prime Minister is concerned I don’t see how he is going to remain in his job for very long at all. </p><p>I think it’s very hard for him in those circumstances to remain. If you are the prime minister, you’ve called this referendum, you’ve laid your reputation on the line and your arguments, I think it’s going to be very hard.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:51:15.710Z">3.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Ian Paisley Jr, the North Antrim MP, has predicted that a Brexit vote would increase the Democratic Unionist party’s influence in the House of Commons due to the likely chaos within the Tory ranks.</p><p>Paisley, whose firebrand father Ian represented the constituency for decades, said if some Tory MPs withdraw their support for the government, “this is where the DUP will come in and be more influential. It means we can extract more for Northern Ireland with our 8 MPs.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:46:27.398Z">3.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The pound is now down 8% at $1.36, its biggest ever one-day move (it swung by 7% in 2008).</p><p>The falls have accelerated as Sheffield unexpectedly backed leave and ITV put an 80% chance on leave winning the vote.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:46:16.077Z">3.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>After 167 results, out of 382, here are the latest figures.</p><p>It is the vote figures that count.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After 167 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results - Heath 5,846,811 (48.5%) / Thatcher 6,199,790 (51.5%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:41:17.999Z">3.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Eighteen of the 22 Welsh authorities have now declared. Only three – the Vale of Glamorgan in the south, Monmouthshire in the south-east and Ceredigion in west Wales – have voted to remain, the rest are for leave.<br></p><p>In places like the south Wales valleys (traditional Labour heartlands), leave is sweeping the board. Cardiff is expected to vote to stay but it’s been a miserable night in Wales for the remain campaign. Ironically, some of the places that have received the most EU funding over the years because of their economic problems have voted most strongly to leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:33:05.574Z">3.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And here is <strong>Nigel Farage </strong>on the Sheffield result.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sheffield votes to Leave EU. Amazing stuff. Delighted.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:29:48.691Z">3.29am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the academic <strong>Matthew Goodwin.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sheffield is 51% Leave. It was predicted to go Remain on 52% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Am told ecstasy in Vote Leave office as Sheffield result came through, they think this really might be on</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sheffield result feels very significant, Remain are going to need mega blow outs in London to pull this out of the fire</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:29:17.887Z">3.29am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The pound has hit a new low for the night at $1.3879, down 6%.</p><p>Sterling is very volatile, said Jeremy Cook of World First, whose colleagues are starting to stream into the office. The mood is sober. The largest cause for the downswing in the pound is a prediction by ITV of a 75% chance of the UK leaving the EU. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:27:15.323Z">3.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:24:12.450Z">3.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Labour party is now working on the assumption that leave will win, according to a party source. The view in Labour HQ is that, if Britain does vote to leave, Jeremy Corbyn should call on David Cameron to resign, but senior figures believe that that may prove unnecessary because Cameron may announce his departure of his own accord.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:20:41.261Z">3.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The market volatility continues:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're back down again... <a href="https://t.co/TxsgkeNdL6">pic.twitter.com/TxsgkeNdL6</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leave's lead grows to 176,888 and GBPUSD resumes it's slide, back down to 1.4225 from 1.4500 half an hour ago.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:19:16.406Z">3.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Curtice not calling it, BUT says Leave now are favourites</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:13:14.008Z">3.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Asked if he thought David Cameron should stay as prime minister if leave win, the veteran Conservative Eurosceptic<strong tabindex="-1"> Sir Bill Cash</strong> tells the BBC whoever is prime minister will have to be “completely committed to Brexit”. He says that is vital because the EU withdrawal negotiations will have to led by No 10.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:11:24.185Z">3.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from <b>Peter Murrell,</b> the SNP’s chief executive.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">02h50: Remain now has over 1 million votes in Scotland. With just 8 results to go, the map is turning bright yellow <a href="https://t.co/clL4W8iqLE">pic.twitter.com/clL4W8iqLE</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:09:27.066Z">3.09am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Peter Kellner, </strong>the former YouGov president who was predicting a remain win (see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c5139e4b030d83eb49f09#block-576c5139e4b030d83eb49f09">10.15pm)</a>, has changed his mind.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seems we are heading for result bad for UK, bad for pollsters and (least important) embarrassing for me</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T02:03:33.661Z">3.03am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is another slab of results.</p><p><strong>Lincoln</strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:59:55.513Z">2.59am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Henry McDonald</strong> has sent this from Belfast:</p><p>Nathan Anderson is a 26-year-old MA politics student at Queen’s University Belfast and a Democratic Unionist councillor. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:55:25.762Z">2.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Guardian’s <strong>Dan Milmo</strong> talks us through the volatility in the financial markets with the results coming in for the European Union referendum.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:54:48.803Z">2.54am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>John Mann,</strong> one of the few Labour MPs to vote for Brexit, has just told the BBC that Labour voters have “decisively voted to leave the European Union”.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:53:39.272Z">2.53am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’ve had 84 results in now, and remain are back on the lead - but only just.</p><p>Here are the figures. The vote ones are the ones that count.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">84 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results in - Experts 2,877,575 (50.01%) / Bloke in the pub 2,876,697 (49.99%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:51:01.992Z">2.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Wandsworth has voted for remain by a thumping 75-25 majority on a 72% turnout. There were 118,463 votes for remain and 39,421 for leave.<br></p><p>The borough was a remain stronghold so victory was assured. The only issue was the margin of victory. After the disappointments of Sunderland and Newcastle, Wandsworth will come as a fillip for the remain camp, although the result can only reinforce the impression of a deep divisions in the country.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wandsworth result now in; 118,463 remain, 39,421 leave <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a> <a href="https://t.co/AuYJ2FLTiG">pic.twitter.com/AuYJ2FLTiG</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:49:46.822Z">2.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Leanne Wood,</strong> the Plaid Cymru leader, said at the count in Cardiff that the results show David Cameron was wrong to hold the referendum so soon after the Welsh elections.</p><p>We warned the prime minister very early on that the date was too close to the Welsh and Scottish elections and that it would cause problems. In Wales we saw the election of a large number of Ukip AMs with all of this as background noise. If it the result ends up being leave for Wales, it exonerates our position on the issue of timing.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:47:45.509Z">2.47am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Ukip MEP<strong> Paul Nuttall</strong> has told Sky News that Ukip will do well whatever happens.</p><p>Win or lose this referendum Ukip is in a very, very good position. If we win this referendum then Ukip should get the plaudits ...</p><p> If we lose, and it is only going to be very tight, the SNP have done quite well out of losing a tight referendum. Anger is a very powerful emotion in politics and people, I think, will come to Ukip in their droves.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:46:57.034Z">2.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s more on the Asian markets:</p><p>After opening slightly up, the Nikkei benchmark index in Tokyo fell by 2.9% mid-morning as early referendum results filtered through from the UK. The Nikkei has since mounted a steady recovery, but there is little doubt that investors are nervous about the possibility of a Brexit win and the instability that would bring to the British and European economies. In a volatile start to trading that is expected to continue for most of the day, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 1.3%, while Australia fell 2% and South Korea 1.2%.<br></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:45:16.968Z">2.45am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>John McDonnell,</strong> the shadow chancellor, has told BBC that he expects the Bank of England to intervene in the morning to protect sterling.</p><p>That is exactly the sort of shock we were expecting so I would expect the Bank of England to intervene in the morning. </p><p>Chancellors and shadow chancellors can’t comment on sterling but what we can do is have a mature approach to this and say whatever the outcome, we will negotiate the best deal we possibly can with regard to our trading partners in Europe and in that way we might give some assurances to the market.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:45:09.501Z">2.45am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As expected, Oxford came in powerfully for remain with a 71% vote – nearly 50,000 out of 70,000 in total.</p><p>Remain benefited by running up huge votes in the wealthier areas like Summertown, outweighing a closer result in Labour-voting working-class areas such as Rose Hill and Blackbird Leys.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:43:03.727Z">2.43am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Independent’s<strong> John Rentoul.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Barking &amp; Dagenham Leave by 24 pts vs 8 pts expected; Hammersmith &amp; Fulham Remain by 40 pts, 30 pts expected if 50-50 nationally</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:42:39.386Z">2.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And this is from the academic<strong> Matthew Goodwin.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On average we find that the Leave vote is up by about an average of 3 points on a 50-50 model <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> (so far!)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:42:26.728Z">2.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’re just over halfway through the north-east declarations and the verdict is clear: leave has won comfortably in this region.</p><p>The Brexiters were always expected to do well in this industrial heartland of shipping, mining and steel – but the sheer scale of the leave vote has stunned experts and activists.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">North Tyneside is 53.4% LEAVE<br><br>That's seven out of eight North East local authorities to vote Leave. Four still to declare. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:40:54.243Z">2.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Sunday Times’s <strong>Tim Shipman.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vote Leave source: at current rate they're on course for 150,000 fewer votes in London than hoped. But will more than cover that elsewhere.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:39:46.743Z">2.39am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The academic Rob Ford has more on the Wandsworth result.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wandsworth 75% remain - that's 9 points above what Remain wld need on 50-50 split, and turnout strong there too</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This vote suggests a very deeply divided country. London (&amp; Scotland, other cities?) very different to everywhere else</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:37:44.298Z">2.37am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Two more Belfast constituencies have followed the west of the city in voting for remain. North and South Belfast backed an in vote, with the latter having a significant majority for Remain.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Belfast South results: 30,960 votes for Remain, 13,596 votes for Leave, 27 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Belfast North results: 20,128 votes for Remain, 19,844 votes for Leave, 26 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">East Belfast results: 20,728 for Remain, 21,918 votes to Leave, 19 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:33:45.870Z">2.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Labour MP <strong>Emily Thornberry</strong>, speaking at the Islington count, has reacted to the early results. </p><p>“I think that whatever happens, about half the country has grave reservations,” she said. “We have to think about why that is. What we don’t want to do is not learn lessons from this.” </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emily Thornberry at Islington count: "Whatever happens about half the country has very grave reservations." <a href="https://t.co/mHSf2Z0gdx">pic.twitter.com/mHSf2Z0gdx</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:33:26.706Z">2.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Wandsworth </strong>results are in.</p><p>Remain: 118,463 (75%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:29:08.476Z">2.29am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Chris Hanretty,</strong> <a href="https://medium.com/@chrishanretty/eu-referendum-rolling-forecasts-1a625014af55#.ixnddovqx">on his University of East Anglia blog</a>, has updated his forecast. Based on 33 results in, he expects leave to win by five points.</p><p>This is a big update, and I’m conscious that I may have made a terrible mistake somewhere in estimating differential turnout, but here goes:</p><p>Predicted probability of Britain remaining: 0.03</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:28:16.569Z">2.28am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is Glasgow’s announcement that the city voted for remain, a much-needed result for the remain side:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:28:16.125Z">2.28am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s more from Ladbrokes on leave now being favourite to win the referendum. The bookmaker has leave at 1/2 and remain at 6/4.</p><p>Matthew Shaddick, head of political betting at Ladbrokes, said: “We are seeing huge sums of money coming in for leave on the back of consistently better than expected results. There is a long way to go, but the trend thus far is only going one way. London will be key in the eventual outcome and the remain camp needs a better than expected result on a better than expected turnout.”<br></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Futures market predicting a massive selloff -- FTSE 100 being called down 6% <a href="https://t.co/QhtxxuhyCk">pic.twitter.com/QhtxxuhyCk</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:24:14.956Z">2.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’ve got 42 results in now, out of 382.</p><p>Here are the numbers. It is the votes that count.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">42 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results in so far -Glastonbury 1,145,433 (46.3%) / Last Night of the Proms 1,326,686 (53.7%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:23:53.448Z">2.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Guardian’s data team have this about each side’s contribution to the overall result:</p><p>Leave has a lead of 4% in the 41 areas that have reported results so far. The biggest contributor to the leave result overall has been Sunderland, with 6.3% of the leave vote. Meanwhile, the biggest contributor to remain has been Newcastle with 5.8% of the remain vote.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:19:51.155Z">2.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A Labour source’s claim that the SNP was to blame for low turnout in Scotland was swiftly thrown into doubt on Twitter by none other than the former Labour first minister <strong>Jack McConnell</strong>.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/bbclaurak">@bbclaurak</a> Presumably a source who spent the campaign in London.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:19:21.212Z">2.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Professor Michael Thrasher,</strong> the Sky News number cruncher, says that as things stand it looks as if leave is heading for a 12-point lead.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prof Michael Thrasher preliminary forecast as things stand for <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews">@skynews</a>:<br><br>Leave 56%<br>Remain 44%</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:16:45.195Z">2.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Arron Banks,</strong> the Leave.EU co-founded, thinks leave has won.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aaron Banks says he thinks they've won</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:15:38.251Z">2.15am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Bristol turnout was 73.2%, with 228,678 people voting, and the city is expecting a declaration earlier than 6am.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:15:11.553Z">2.15am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Sir Vince Cable</strong>, the former Lib Dem business secretary, has told BBC that if leave win, David Cameron’s days as prime minister will be over.</p><p>(He may well be right. If so, the Robert Syms letter - see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c53b0e4b030d83eb49f1b#block-576c53b0e4b030d83eb49f1b">10.43pm </a>- may well turn out to be a waste of time.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:13:56.234Z">2.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The pound is slumping now, down 5.5% at $1.408 as bookies now put Leave as the favourite to win. </p><p>And the FTSE 100 futures are now down more than 4%.</p><p lang="de" dir="ltr">*FTSE 100 INDEX FUTURES DROP 4.3%</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IG clients now see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leave?src=hash">#Leave</a> with a slender lead. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LEAVE IS NOW A FAVORITE TO WIN<br><br>LADBROKES: <br>5/4 REMAIN; <br>4/7 LEAVE</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sterling?src=hash">#Sterling</a> taking another leg down, <a href="https://twitter.com/FTSE">@FTSE</a> futures are down 5% and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dow?src=hash">#Dow</a> down 2%.Some bookies have shifted <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/brexit?src=hash">#brexit</a> odds in favor of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leave?src=hash">#Leave</a></p><p>“We forecast on the basis of a Leave vote that we could see sterling fall 7% on the day. We’re on track for that,” said Jeremy Cook at World First. Sterling has fallen fast since the BBC said that Labour had warned there would be Leave vote. After leaping to $1.50 when the polls closed, the so-called cable rate slipped 4% when the Sunderland vote came in but steadied at 2% lower until the warning from the BBC. Then sterling fell to $1.40 or so - down more than 5% - by around 2am.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:12:24.141Z">2.12am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Alex Salmond</strong>, the former SNP leader and Scottish first minister, is on the BBC. Asked about the way Labour sources are briefing against the SNP (see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c84eae4b0f430381096e8#block-576c84eae4b0f430381096e8">1.56am),</a> he said that in Scotland remain was winning in the industrial areas where the SNP are dominant by 60/40. But in England, where Labour hold seats like that, leave is winning, he said. If Labour wanted to work out who to blame, they should look to themselves, he said.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:12:16.023Z">2.12am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Two neighbouring unionist constituencies have voted in opposite directions to each other. </p><p>North Down voters backed remain, albeit with just a 2,000 majority while next door in Strangford people opted for Brexit. The former constituency maybe the only pro-union (with the UK that is!) that is also in favour of staying in the EU. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">North Down results: 23,131 votes for Remain, 21,046 votes for Leave, 34 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Strangford results: 18,727 votes for Remain, 23,383 votes for Leave, 13 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:07:35.151Z">2.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Leanne Wood</strong>, the leader of Plaid Cymru, has said the leave vote – which is looking very strong in Wales – was an attack on the establishment. She also said that if the UK does leave the EU it could provide opportunities for Plaid, whose ultimate aim is independence for Wales.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:05:42.914Z">2.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The leave side was the first to break through the one-million vote mark – though remain was not far behind.</p><p>With 34 authorities declared:</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/eu-referendum-result-what-we-know-so-far">EU referendum result: what we know so far</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:05:24.484Z">2.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leave have now got more than 1m votes, the BBC is reporting.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:05:06.774Z">2.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are some more results.</p><p><strong>Brentwood</strong></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:04:35.715Z">2.04am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Westminster has voted to remain:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T01:02:32.021Z">2.02am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The leave camp’s lead in the results so far seems to have filtered through to Japan. After early gains the Nikkei 225 has slipped into negative territory, down 0.38%.</p><p>And in the US, the S&amp;P 500 is currently forecast to open down around 0.8%.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:56:43.212Z">1.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Basildon in Essex votes to leave the EU:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:56:19.479Z">1.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour is also blaming the SNP for remain’s relative lack of success. This is from a party source.</p><p>Turnout in Scotland has been considerably lower than expected. The SNP, the dominant party which ran huge campaigns for the independence referendum, UK election and Scottish elections, has run a lacklustre campaign with minimal ground activity.</p><p>Sturgeon had more to say about criticising the remain camp than making the positive case for Europe and she was nowhere to be seen until the dying days of the campaign.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:56:00.285Z">1.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Ukip MEP <strong>David Coburn</strong> was in an optimistic mood in Glasgow, saying “it’ll be Ukip what won it” if leave comes out as victorious.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:52:52.106Z">1.52am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:52:34.344Z">1.52am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>And the <strong>Basildon</strong> result is in.</p><p>Leave: 67,251 (68.6%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:51:35.038Z">1.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Bridget Phillipson</strong>, the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, said she knew the pro-EU campaign faced an uphill struggle in the north-east: “There’s huge anger that time and again our region is left behind when it comes to jobs and investment. We don’t get what we need from the Tory government – people feel like they continue to be kicked.</p><p>“The reason I campaigned so strongly for remain is that I believe our region will be the hardest hit if we leave the European Union.”</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bridget Phillipson MP on Sunderland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> vote <a href="https://t.co/xj1RE9kafq">https://t.co/xj1RE9kafq</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/audioBoom">@audioBoom</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:47:30.034Z">1.47am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Hartlepool</strong> result is in, and leave got 70% - more than expected. This is from the academic<strong> Caitlin Milazzo.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hartlepool - Forecast <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> vote 61% ,UKIP 2014 EP vote 39%, Actual vote share 70% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:44:37.169Z">1.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Perhaps Lindsay Lohan has been one of those using Google. (See<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c81cee4b0f430381096db#block-576c81cee4b0f430381096db"> 1.43pm.)</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/REMAIN?src=hash">#REMAIN</a> Sorry, but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KETTERING?src=hash">#KETTERING</a> where are you&amp;why is this woman <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCNews">@BBCNews</a> speaking on people rather than TELLING us what happens if UK LEAVES?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:43:24.277Z">1.43am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>According to the Press Association, Google says there has been a more than 250% increase in the number of searches for “what happens if we leave the EU” in the past hour, as early results indicate stronger-than-expected results for Brexit campaigners. </p><p>I tried it a moment ago. The top result I got was <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/682290/Brexit-what-happens-if-England-votes-to-leave-but-Scotland-Northern-Ireland-Wales-don-t">this.</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:41:19.779Z">1.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unconfirmed results from Hartlepool huge for Leave</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:40:57.920Z">1.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Foyle, the constituency covering Derry city, has been the first to return a result in Northern Ireland. It was solidly pro-remain, which is hardly surprising given that it is a nationalist dominated constituency.<br>West Tyrone, another nationalist constituency represented by Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty, also voted for remain.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Foyle results: 32, 064 votes for Remain, 8, 905 votes for Leave, 18 votes rejected. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURefResults?src=hash">#EURefResults</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:40:20.922Z">1.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Fifteen results are in so far, out of 382.</p><p>Here are the results. It is the vote figures that count.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">15 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results in so far - Guardian 394,282 (48.5%) / Daily Mail 418,809 (51.5%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:38:53.694Z">1.38am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>One after another, leading remain figures have been telling broadcasters that the result is looking close in interviews where they appear to be less optimistic than they were at about 10pm.</p><p><strong>John McDonnell</strong>, the shadow chancellor, said the results were “exactly as predicted … pretty close, whichever way”, adding: “I am hoping remain will win, but I think it will be one or two percentage points either way.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:33:28.911Z">1.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The fall in the pound is the third biggest move on record, after the 2008 financial crisis and Black Wednesday when sterling left the Exchange Rate Mechanism:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pound move at number 3 with a bullet.... <a href="https://t.co/FOC9x2tKTw">pic.twitter.com/FOC9x2tKTw</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBP?src=hash">#GBP</a> has fallen from $1.50 to $1.45 in just a few hours, but recall it was at $1.40 earlier this month. Not a sterling crisis - yet...</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:33:22.187Z">1.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour figures are also attacking each other. Talking to guests at the Stronger In referendum party,<strong> Chris Bryant</strong>, the shadow leader of the Commons, denounced Ed Miliband when he saw the former party leader being interviewed on TV. He said:</p><p>I might go and punch him because he’s a tosspot and he left the party in the state it’s in.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:31:22.119Z">1.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The turnout figures for the four Belfast constituencies are out and they show that unionist majority areas have voted significantly more than republican districts.</p><p>In republican West Belfast – a Sinn Féin stronghold – the turnout was 48%, an historic low compared to successive general and assembly elections. By contrast, the turnout in loyalist East Belfast was 66%, as it was in the more liberal South Belfast constituency. In North Belfast, where there is a sizeable republican and nationalist population, the turnout was 57%.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:30:10.342Z">1.30am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>You can always tell who is losing on an election night - it’s the side where they start blaming each other. Earlier, when it looked good for remain, we saw Vote Leave have a go at Nigel Farage.</p><p>But now the recriminations are breaking out on the remain side, where Labour is blaming the government. This is from a party source.</p><p>A significant minority of Labour voters have undoubtedly voted for Leave. After David Cameron and the Tories made this a referendum on them and their leadership, many of the areas hardest hit by this government’s unfair policies like Sunderland have taken the opportunity this referendum as a means to kick a Conservative government that is out of touch.</p><p>This was a vote against a government that has failed to rebalance the economy, and has failed to deliver the Northern Powerhouse that it keeps promising.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Remain camp already eating each other. Angela Eagle slagging off govt. You can bet Dave will blame Labour if this goes wrong.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:26:31.920Z">1.26am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Guardian’s diplomatic editor <strong>Patrick Wintour</strong>:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hartlepool ex seat of Lord Mandelson &amp; key Remain figure, gone 70 to 30 for Leave. Project Fear cut no ice.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:24:08.579Z">1.24am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gibraltar announces before Sunderland. A rock beats a hard place.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:23:23.736Z">1.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Scottish Labour leader <strong>Kezia Dugdale</strong> believes Edinburgh is ‘overwhelmingly in support of remain’.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:21:29.349Z">1.21am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Cardiff, the Plaid Cymru leader, <strong>Leanne Wood</strong>, is concerned that the vote is going to be very close in Wales. She said places that have suffered economically through austerity seem to be those that are voting out. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood at the count in Cardiff. <a href="https://t.co/MMFo9pWvJ5">pic.twitter.com/MMFo9pWvJ5</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:19:30.778Z">1.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>These are from <strong>Matthew Goodwin,</strong> the academic and Ukip expert.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kettering expected to be 59-41 for Leave. Actual result 61-39. A tad over expectations for Remain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CaitlinMilazzo">@CaitlinMilazzo</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kettering is another area where Leave is delivering a bit more punch than academic models suggest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">....wondering what message voters will send to Labour from the other northern heartlands.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shetland Islands Remain 56.5, Leave 43.5. Predicted Remain 63% leave 37% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:16:56.725Z">1.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>John Curtice,</strong> the elections expert who is number-crunching for the BBC, also has leave as favourite to win on the basis of the results we have now.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Curtice: At the moment at least the Leave side are favourites to win this Referendum - but there is still a very long way to go. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:14:48.885Z">1.14am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The University of East Anglia is running<a href="http://www.ueapolitics.org/2016/06/23/eu-referendum-allnighter/"> a referendum live blog.</a> It has been crunching the numbers and, on the basis of the first five results, is forecasting a narrow win for leave. </p><p>Predicted probability of Britain remaining: 0.48</p><p>(5 of 382 areas reporting.) </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:11:37.847Z">1.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With surprises in Newcastle and Sunderland, the Guardian’s <strong>Anushka Asthana</strong> summarises the EU referendum results night so far.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:11:34.081Z">1.11am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from<strong> Caitlin Milazzo</strong>, an academic and Ukip expert.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kettering - Forecast <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> vote 59%, UKIP 2014 EP vote 36%, Actual vote share 61% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:09:45.748Z">1.09am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Prof John Curtice has told the BBC that turnout in London seems to be 2 or 3% lower than expected, based on figures in so far. That might be the result of terrible rain we had in the capital. If so, this is bad for remain, which counts London as a stronghold.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:07:42.172Z">1.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Stock markets have started to open in Asia and in Japan the Nikkei 225 is currently up 0.65%.</p><p>But the UK futures are now suggesting the FTSE 100 will open around 1.9% lower.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:06:23.893Z">1.06am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Meanwhile, the count continues in Belfast, where <strong>Alasdair McDonnell</strong> MP (seated) is not looking as confident after the Sunderland result as he was earlier.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:05:00.366Z">1.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Eight results are in so far, out of 382.</p><p>Here are the figures. It is the vote figures that count.</p><p lang="de" dir="ltr">Eight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> results in so far - Bob Geldof 227,726 (46.9%) / Nigel Farage 257,816 (53.1%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:03:27.111Z">1.03am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Eddie Izzard</strong> has joined supporters of the Stronger In campaign as they gather to wait for the result of the EU referendum at the Royal Festival Hall.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:01:52.235Z">1.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Richard Adams</strong> has sent this from the count at Oxford town hall where the turnout has been announced as 70,411 out of 97,331 on the electoral roll – high at 72%. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:01:37.301Z">1.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With 8 results in out of 382 in the EU referendum, turnout is 69.7%. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-24T00:00:34.843Z">1.00am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Michael Thrasher,</strong> the psephologist who is number crunching for Sky News, has just said the eight results in so far suggest it is going to be very close.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:58:18.505Z">12.58am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Swindon</strong> result has been announced.</p><p>Remain: 51,220 (45.3%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:55:45.741Z">12.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:55:27.046Z">12.55am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Arron Banks</strong>, the co-founder of Leave.EU, has described the Sunderland result (see <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c6e1ae4b0f43038109672#block-576c6e1ae4b0f43038109672">12.20am)</a> as a “wholesale rejection of the Labour party by its voters.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:54:34.964Z">12.54am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Wandsworth, <strong>Mark Tran </strong>reports a turnout of 71.98% – or 158,018 out of 219,521 voters.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:52:54.461Z">12.52am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Bristol, <strong>Marvin Rees</strong>, the newly elected mayor of the city, told the Guardian that the “Brexit campaign has exposed the fragility at the heart of the system”.</p><p>He added: “We have people vulnerable to people coming along singing a simple tune. We have to change the way we do public services. We are not sharing the prosperity. We need to deliver the change that people need. We need a city that people can afford to live in.” Rees said that this was not just a message to the Labour leadership but “for everyone”. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bristol?src=hash">#bristol</a> mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/MarvinJRees">@MarvinJRees</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/brexit?src=hash">#brexit</a> campaign exposed fragility at heart of system. We are not sharing prosperity. <a href="https://t.co/MXhtrXWXvG">pic.twitter.com/MXhtrXWXvG</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:51:50.949Z">12.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hear Remain might be as high as 83% in Lewisham - we going to see London v the rest of the country?</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Foyle, N Ireland, 78% Remain, 22% Leave</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:49:20.793Z">12.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Bridget Phillipson</strong>, the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, said she is “naturally disappointed” with the result but says it reflects the “real sense of anger” in the region about low wages and other issues.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:46:57.159Z">12.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>John Redwood</strong>, the Conservative pro-Brexit MP, has just told Sky News that a fall in the value of the pound is not necessarily something to worry about. If it falls too much in value, people will start buying it again, he said.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:45:04.613Z">12.45am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>I’m told sampling from the boxes in Hastings suggests leave is on 50.6%, and remain is on 49.4%. Leave were expected to be ahead here, but by more than this. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:44:45.578Z">12.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Cardiff South and Penarth Labour MP <strong>Stephen Doughty</strong> is cheerful about the chances of the Welsh capital returning a healthy Remain vote. He said he had been joined on the campaign trail on voting day by people who had never been actively engaged in politics before. </p><p>“People were saying they wouldn’t forgive themselves if they did nothing and the country voted to leave.” But it’s in places like the valleys town of Merthyr Tydfil where the remain vote could be in trouble. Turnout there was 67% – it was 53% at the last general election. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty at the count on the Welsh capital. <a href="https://t.co/ar7hHCUcO7">pic.twitter.com/ar7hHCUcO7</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:41:44.114Z">12.41am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is an interesting tweet from the Higher Education Policy Institute, which has looked closely at student voting patterns. </p><p>It’s headed by <strong>Nick Hillman</strong>, a former Conservative candidate and special advisor, who says the BBC’s analysis of student voting is “incomplete”:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots of tonight's analysis is ignoring that it is university holidays, so students not generally at their term-time address. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:40:28.524Z">12.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Press Association’s <strong>Ian Jones.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">50 of the 382 voting areas have now reported turnout, and the average is 71%. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:40:24.230Z">12.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Speculation is growing in Wales that there are going be some handsome wins for leave in parts of the south valleys. For the moment, <strong>Alun Cairns</strong>, secretary of state for Wales (and remain supporter), is not being drawn in. He has been arguing at the count in Cardiff that no matter the result this is a good day for democracy. He is also keen to remind us that the Tories have delivered a manifesto promise. He also says, just like in a general election campaign, whoever wins the argument over the economy is likely to carry the day. As to the result in Wales? Too early to say. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sec state for Wales Alun Cairns. <a href="https://t.co/Htp2tgbtTO">https://t.co/Htp2tgbtTO</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:37:30.227Z">12.37am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The leave campaign’s regional coordinator in Northern Ireland is holding on to the hope that working-class voters across the UK will turn around the Brexit camp’s fortunes. Lee Reynolds, a former Democratic Unionist party councillor, said there had been an unprecedented turnout in Ulster loyalist working-class areas.</p><p>“They are not voting in any large numbers for remain,” Reynolds said. “If the loyalist working class are voting like never before then what are their counterparts doing in England and like them, the English working class is for leave. People have to came calm down and let the votes be counted. I think the odds are even in terms of which side is going to be on the 52-48 split in the vote. It is far from over.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:36:00.856Z">12.36am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Five results are in (out of 382).</p><p>Here are the figures. It is the vote figures that count.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:34:23.839Z">12.34am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Arron Banks</strong>, the millionaire backer of Ukip and co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign, says he is “feeling quite confident, strangely.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:31:54.339Z">12.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>British emigrants in Berlin are gathered at the legendary Volksbühne theatre tonight to watch the incoming first results. </p><p>An overwhelming majority has voted remain – but not all of them did enthusiastically. Peter Vine, a 27-year-old research analyst, who recently moved to the German capital from Taiwan, said he was a reluctant Remainer. “I don’t understand why the European Union has to be so political. I can see the advantages of a trade union, but I don’t understand why we need a European parliament, for example. All this expensive bureaucracy seems excessive when countries like Greece are told to tighten their belts.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:25:46.141Z">12.25am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the<strong> Clackmannanshire</strong> result.</p><p>Remain: 14,691 (58%) <br>Leave: 10,736 (42%) <br>Remain maj: 3,955 (15.55%) <br>Electorate 37,841; Turnout 25,427 (67.19%) </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:25:02.727Z">12.25am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Wandsworth, <strong>Rosena Allin-Khan</strong>, who succeeded Sadiq Khan, as Labour MP for Tooting, is predicting a 65-35 margin of victory in her constituency. </p><p>“It’s looking good from the sampling,” she told the Guardian. Right on cue, an official with a sampling sheet came over showing 75 votes for remain and 17 for leave. Earlier, a Tory campaigner in Putney predicted a 60-40 margin of victory in his constituency. All three MPs in Wandsworth – Allin-Khan, Justine Greening, the international development secretary and MP for Putney, and Jane Ellison, the Conservative MP for Battersea – have campaigned for remain. Wandsworth is strong remain territory and the only question is the margin of victory.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Labour MP Ronena Allin-Khan at count in Wandsworth: "It's looking good" for Remain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a> <a href="https://t.co/u8QOu0APAq">pic.twitter.com/u8QOu0APAq</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:23:54.540Z">12.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With 5 results in out of 382 in the EU referendum, turnout is 67.21%.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:22:27.424Z">12.22am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Leave victory in Sunderland has sent the pound plunging, down 3.5% to $1.435.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sunderland in graph format <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/eqNW6MMkSV">pic.twitter.com/eqNW6MMkSV</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IG's out of hours market for the FTSE now at 6240 -1.5%</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:21:57.084Z">12.21am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The count was halted in Bristol after fire alarm set off. The counting officer sent out staff. Vote Leave joke about being worried about what will happen to their ballot papers. It’s a false alarm.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Count halted in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bristol?src=hash">#bristol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> after fire alarm set off <a href="https://t.co/8BaRVV2XX7">pic.twitter.com/8BaRVV2XX7</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:20:59.026Z">12.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leave has won a big victory in<strong> Sunderland.</strong></p><p>Remain: 51,930 (39%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:20:37.676Z">12.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The SNP’s Humza Yousaf says he is “quietly optimistic” of a vote to remain.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:19:01.851Z">12.19am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:16:28.150Z">12.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Voters in some areas have been claiming that they were turned away from polling booths after being told their names were not on the register, despite having seemingly registered weeks ago.</p><p>Becky Timmons told the Guardian that she and her husband received polling cards after registering in September, but only he was able to vote.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/voters-report-being-turned-away-from-eu-referendum-polls">Voters report being turned away from EU referendum polls</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:12:54.678Z">12.12am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here are the key quotes from<strong> Nigel Farage.</strong></p><p>I have to say, it has been a long campaign - in my case 25 years. And whatever happens tonight, whoever wins this battle, one thing I am completely certain of is that we are winning this war. Euroscepticism was considered to be fringey, fruitcakey, to quote the prime minister, and now it looks like tonight maybe just under half, maybe just over half the country, is going to vote for us to leave the European Union ...</p><p>The Eurosceptic genie is out of the bottle - and it will now not be put back.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:12:05.464Z">12.12am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As we await the results, here are two snapshots from two different post-vote events in London.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:07:11.284Z">12.07am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is how sterling reacted to the Newcastle news:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Massive market moves on that Newcastle result: GBP/USD traded 200 points lower (2c) than tonight's high. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/7nxWTnG2K8">pic.twitter.com/7nxWTnG2K8</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:05:57.658Z">12.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Deborah Mattinson is asking how a divided Britain can heal itself after the EU referendum.</p><p>The EU Referendum campaign may not have clarified all the issues in voters’ minds, but it has shone a light on a growing chasm in the country. People divided by geography, social class, age, education and income are even more sharply divided by outlook. Whether to remain in the EU or leave is just one of many of those differences. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, it is unlikely to heal our fractured nation.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/commentisfree/2016/jun/23/how-can-we-heal-a-nation-divided-by-the-referendum">How can we heal a nation divided by the referendum?</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:05:13.980Z">12.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The <strong>Newcastle-upon-Tyne</strong> result is in.</p><p>Remain: 65,404 (50.7%)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T23:01:43.977Z">12.01am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With the ballot sampling under way, a pattern is now emerging in Glasgow, with middle-class areas voting decisively to remain while working-class areas like the east end are neck and neck with leave.</p><p>Estimates of turnout around the country are solidifying around 70% – higher than last month’s Scottish parliament elections but less than the 2014 independence referendum. Turnout in Scotland looks like being a wee bit less than England but, having urged the electorate to the polling booths four times in the last three years, this is no great surprise.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, Ian Murray MP and SNP MP Anne McLaughlin at the Glasgow count <a href="https://t.co/mhq4W1TtRt">pic.twitter.com/mhq4W1TtRt</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:58:06.626Z">11.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sterling has slipped back from its highs against the dollar on talk that the Newcastle result will only be a marginal win for Remain, while Sunderland is said to be strongly leave. The pound is now at $1.4897, having earlier hit $1.5018.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Leave really win Sunderland by 20% and Remain win Newcastle by only small margin, upset back on the table.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:54:58.172Z">11.54pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The latest reports from Sunderland suggest (contrary to earlier claims) that Leave is heading for a big win. </p><p>The BBC’s <strong>Laura Kuenssberg</strong> says Leave could be on 62%.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Laura K has a source that says Sunderland could be 62% Leave</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing early indications of 66% Leave vote in Sunderland which would be a strong result for them. In models it's predicted to be 53% <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very bad result for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Remain?src=hash">#Remain</a> in Sunderland might not be catastrophic. We may just be more divided than we thought. But it isn't good.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One set of counted votes in Sunderland <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a>. Leave piles generally bigger but by how much? <a href="https://t.co/ARg5XXvGQ4">pic.twitter.com/ARg5XXvGQ4</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:54:23.348Z">11.54pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A minute’s silence in memory of Jo Cox has been held at various counts. Here is a video of one of them:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:53:13.675Z">11.53pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Nigel Farage</strong> has told reporters that the ‘Eurosceptic genie is out of the bottle’. Here is the video:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:51:31.382Z">11.51pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>At a Leave.EU party in London, a cake shaped like a champagne bottle is waiting to be cut. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-day-rain-floods-but-at-least-the-shouting-was-over">John Crace has some more about the party – and its rather low turnout – in his politics sketch</a>.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:49:17.962Z">11.49pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the BBC’s<strong> Nick Eardley.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Vote Leave source says samples so far in Glasgow and Falkirk better than expected for them <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:46:22.445Z">11.46pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Alasdair McDonnell</strong>, the SDLP MP for South Belfast, has told the Guardian the turnout in his constituency is “touching” 70%. The Social Democratic and Labour party MP said he is hoping in Northern Ireland the final vote could be 60-40 for remain.</p><p>Speaking inside the Titanic visitor centre, where the votes from the four Belfast constituencies are being counted, McDonnell said the SDLP wanted “to avoid turning the referendum into a traditional Orange versus Green contest”. He added: “We wanted this to be a civic campaign that cut across the traditional political divide. We had good meetings with the Ulster Unionists and a pro-EU business breakfast. The remain vote is a cross-community vote.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:46:02.444Z">11.46pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>On Sky News<strong> Nigel Farage </strong>has just given what sounded a bit like a concession speech (even though he insisted that was not what it was.) I will post the key quotes in a moment.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:43:19.312Z">11.43pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The first result is in, from<strong> Gibraltar.</strong> It is a massive vote for Remain.</p><p>Remain: 19,322</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:41:23.267Z">11.41pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Douglas Carswell</strong>, Ukip’s only MP, has fired yet another coded salvo at the leader of his own party, emphasising that he would like to see a party after the referendum that was “optimistic” about change and not go back to the 1950s.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:37:58.847Z">11.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Contrary to what you might be thinking, the UK may not be the most Eurosceptic of the EU’s member states. Helena Bengtsson has this:</p><p>Despite Britain teetering on the edge of Brexit, polling suggests it may not be the most Eurosceptic state in the EU. A poll of 10,000 Europeans across 10 countries by Pew Research earlier this year found that a majority of people felt unfavourably towards the union in both Greece (71%) and France (61%). Spain also had a higher proportion of unfavourable people (49%) than the UK (48%) did.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2016/jun/23/is-britain-most-eurosceptic-country">Is Britain the most Eurosceptic country?</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:37:06.510Z">11.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from Sky’s data expert <strong>Harry Carr.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turnout so far suggests overall turnout of roughly 70% - winning line therefore roughly 16.25 million votes</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:34:23.176Z">11.34pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Conservative MSP <strong>Annie Wells</strong>, who is close to Ruth Davidson.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/libby_brooks">@libby_brooks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_PaulMonaghan">@_PaulMonaghan</a> I still think it's going be that old chestnut 55% v 45% for remain</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:31:55.050Z">11.31pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:30:50.288Z">11.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Douglas Carswell</strong>, the Ukip MP, told the BBC that Leave have done well even if they do not leave.</p><p>Who would have thought, after everything that has been thrown at the leave campaign – taxpayer-funded propaganda and the rest of it – that it would be this close.</p><p>I think it has been an extraordinary campaign and I think Vote Leave has done incredibly well to narrow the gap and reduce the lead, perhaps not quite enough, but perhaps they have done enough.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:28:45.484Z">11.28pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>But <strong>Matthew Goodwin</strong>, the academic and Ukip expert, has heard different figures for Sunderland.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sunderland expected early. Forecast Brexit vote 53%. Ukip polled 30% here in 2014. Median income only £19,000 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LSEBrexitVote?src=hash">#LSEBrexitVote</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:27:53.674Z">11.27pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Friday’s UK newspapers showed two different approaches: either risk hinting at the result or else talk about the subject in much more general terms.</p><p>The Sun took the bolder option, its “Brex Mad” headline talking about the high turnout but then adding at the top, “Farage concedes to remain”.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Sun front page:<br>Brex Mad<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/3CdofAcooB">pic.twitter.com/3CdofAcooB</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Updated Metro front page:<br>Farage: I think it's all over<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/lMMKh2RLSr">pic.twitter.com/lMMKh2RLSr</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Times front page:<br>Closest call for Britain<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/I4OhWIJtH3">pic.twitter.com/I4OhWIJtH3</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Telegraph front page:<br>Brexit MPs pledge loyalty to PM<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/PG9iSHi4bn">pic.twitter.com/PG9iSHi4bn</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Guardian:<br>Party leaders reach out to divided<br>nation after bitter EU referendum<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/wkptH9w3hQ">pic.twitter.com/wkptH9w3hQ</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Daily Mirror front page:<br>Project Reunite<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/s21zUqAk2I">pic.twitter.com/s21zUqAk2I</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Daily Mail front page:<br>The £100bn parasite bankers<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/OXShDSXvhK">pic.twitter.com/OXShDSXvhK</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's FT:<br>City watchdogs on high alert over expected post-poll trading frenzy<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/YXJm47nOVu">pic.twitter.com/YXJm47nOVu</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Friday's Morning Star:<br>Foreign aid cash lines pockets of health privateers<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#Tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://t.co/FSR4l8fUh4">pic.twitter.com/FSR4l8fUh4</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:21:58.918Z">11.21pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is more from tonight’s YouGov poll.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dis-United Kingdom? <a href="https://twitter.com/YouGov">@YouGov</a>'s On-the-Day poll demonstrates how groups in society have such differing views on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a> <a href="https://t.co/lAoeamMtLe">pic.twitter.com/lAoeamMtLe</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our On-the-Day poll shows challenge facing leaders. Majority of Con and nearly third of Lab voters support Leave. <a href="https://t.co/ZHNNG8aZV5">pic.twitter.com/ZHNNG8aZV5</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:18:51.187Z">11.18pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the Mail on Sunday’s <strong>Dan Hodges.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If the sampling from Sunderland is correct, Remain have won. And by a good margin.</p><p>If the result in Sunderland is very close, then Remain has probably won. I said that we should expect Leave to be six percentage points ahead in Sunderland. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:15:08.100Z">11.15pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Ballot boxes arrive in Bristol. Although the city was supposed to be one of the last to count votes at 6am, the Guardian has been told that it was likely to be earlier. Expect a vote from the supposedly pro-remain citadel by 4am.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bristol?src=hash">#Bristol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> ballot boxes arrive <a href="https://t.co/jmKCb4zyAc">pic.twitter.com/jmKCb4zyAc</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:13:32.619Z">11.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the pollster <strong>Deborah Mattinson</strong>.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kettering turnout 76% - much higher than GE2015 if true.,,</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:12:41.597Z">11.12pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from the BBC’s <strong>Emma Simpson.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sounds like a big turnout for both City of London and Westminster counts. As high as 82% and the Remain camp in confident mood.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:10:19.594Z">11.10pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>My instinct is that Remain have won.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:08:26.443Z">11.08pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from Sky’s <strong>Faisal Islam.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">IN sources say two late poll shifts: 1. status quo reversion on economy 2. Core Labour Remain turnout soars on revulsion at Leave tactics</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:08:14.493Z">11.08pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Sunderland is once again vying to be the first to declare its result – and expecting a high turnout. About 45% of the city’s 207,207 voters do so by postal vote. We’re told that a significant number of those votes had been cast by yesterday; and 78% of the postal vote was returned – one of highest on record. So if that is matched by voters in the polling booth then the turnout here could be very high indeed.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They're just showing off now <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sunderland?src=hash">#sunderland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alwaysfirst?src=hash">#alwaysfirst</a> <a href="https://t.co/2YIOox9l4l">pic.twitter.com/2YIOox9l4l</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:07:21.968Z">11.07pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The pound has hit another new high for the year (the highest since December in fact) of $1.5018. Here’s how it spiked after the polls closed:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:03:46.484Z">11.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The BBC’s <strong>Mark Hutchings</strong> has tweeted the latest on postal votes from Flintshire in north Wales:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">86 per cent of postal votes sent out in Flintshire have been returned - the highest on record. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbceuref?src=hash">#bbceuref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:03:21.306Z">11.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from <strong>Peter Spiegel</strong>, the FT’s news editor.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources briefed on hedge fund exit polls told me they had similar 52-48 result for Remain as of late afternoon <a href="https://t.co/fWk5qpoqSz">https://t.co/fWk5qpoqSz</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:01:27.560Z">11.01pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Mark Tran is in Wandsworth, where the postal vote turnout was 83.6% as of 9pm – 47,510 sent out and 39,717 returned. He has also tweeted a picture from the count:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emptying ballot boxes in Wandsworth as the count picks up momentum <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a> <a href="https://t.co/zORkNGKG0w">pic.twitter.com/zORkNGKG0w</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T22:00:20.274Z">11.00pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This is from Ipsos MORI’s <strong>Bobby Duffy.</strong></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our polling over final days: 51% Remain on Tues, 54% on Weds and 54% again on polling day <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/P50BzjAevO">pic.twitter.com/P50BzjAevO</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:59:10.342Z">10.59pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Ipsos MORI</strong> have released some new polling figures. These are from a poll that finished today.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ipsos MORI (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> on the day):<br><br>REMAIN 54 (+2)<br>LEAVE 46 (-2)<br><br>Changes vs earlier today<br>*** ALSO NOT AN EXIT POLL ***<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:56:59.374Z">10.56pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Counting has started in Birmingham and London. Don’t know when results will come in? Here’s our handy <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-night-when-to-nap-and-the-results-to-watch">guide</a> to give you all the details.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:55:48.522Z">10.55pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Vote Leave</strong> are angry with Nigel Farage for saying he thinks remain will win. A Vote Leave source said:</p><p>Farage was hugely unhelpful during the last week of the campaign. Why would that change tonight?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:54:46.390Z">10.54pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Boris Johnson,</strong> the lead figure in the Vote Leave campaign, has tweeted.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The polls have now closed, democracy has been served + we await the verdict of the people. Thanks to everyone involved + everyone who voted</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:53:38.507Z">10.53pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>On Twitter people have been in touch to report very high turnout figures.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewSparrow">@AndrewSparrow</a> Sheringham (Nfk) counting officer (w/89-year-old mum last min Remain ) amazed @ turnout. 1200 of 1300 registered voters.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewSparrow">@AndrewSparrow</a> In Clophill (Beds) we had 83% turnout for station votes and approx. 80% overall. A huge increase on usual turnout figures</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:53:20.214Z">10.53pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The importance of Sunderland – one of the supposed bellwethers expected to declare early – has been emphasised by <strong>John Curtice</strong>, one of the UK’s leading psephologists.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:49:46.287Z">10.49pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is the full quote from<strong> Nigel Farage</strong>, the Ukip leader,<strong> </strong>saying he thinks remain will edge it.</p><p>It’s been an extraordinary referendum campaign, turnout looks to be exceptionally high and (it) looks like remain will edge it. Ukip and I are going nowhere and the party will only continue to grow stronger in the future.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:45:23.080Z">10.45pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>While neither campaign has dared to call the vote yet, the Sun, which has backed Brexit, has gone with this for its first edition:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tomorrow's front page: Brits go Referendum mad with over 30 million voting <a href="https://t.co/Gud3HQbTpj">pic.twitter.com/Gud3HQbTpj</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:43:12.651Z">10.43pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Conservative MP <strong>Robert Syms</strong> has been getting pro-Brexit Conservative MPs to sign a letter saying that David Cameron should stay on as prime minister regardless of the result of the referendum. He has just published it now on Twitter.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This evening I delivered to Gavin Williamson MP,PPS to the Prime Minister a letter from Vote Leave supporters who are also Tory MPs</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The letter thanked Prime Minister David Cameron for giving the British people a choice of their destiny today .</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"We believe whatever the British people decide you have both a mandate and a duty to continue leading the nation implementing our policies</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Given the available time not possible to approach all vote leave colleagues to ask them to sign but many have expressed support for the PM</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The letter was signed by 84 MPs, two-thirds of those who publicly supported the Vote Leave Campaign list attached <a href="https://t.co/CvKYCWyZJz">pic.twitter.com/CvKYCWyZJz</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The original letter , none signed in pencil ! <a href="https://t.co/w5JYShnbWY">pic.twitter.com/w5JYShnbWY</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:39:54.709Z">10.39pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>My colleague <strong>Holly Watt </strong>is in Essex, where Ian Davidson, chief executive of Tendring council, said there had been a very high number of postal votes in the area. </p><p>Davidson said 19,000 postal votes had been requested for the referendum, compared to 14-15,000 at other elections. “There are a lot of people, in their 30s and 40s who are voting for the first time ever in this election,” he said. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:33:49.865Z">10.33pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Cardiff, <strong>Andrew RT Davies</strong>, the leader of the Welsh Tories, believes there is “every possibility” of Wales voting out. Davies went against the prime minister and campaigned for leave.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:30:10.130Z">10.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Economist James Knightley at ING Bank has looked at the economic implications of the UK remaining in the EU, assuming the initial indications are correct. </p><p>And there’s good and bad news. Investment which has been put on hold should start up again, but as the economy recovers the chances of an interest rate rise increase.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:30:01.974Z">10.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>This dispatch has just arrived from Henry McDonald in Belfast:</p><p>As counting gets under way, Northern Ireland’s Electoral Office clearly assumes everyone coming to tonight’s count is driving a car. Those journalists and observers coming by foot had a 25-minute plod through an empty industrial estate full of rain water-filled craters and mud banks before they could reach the Titanic visitors centre for the 10pm deadline, some of them ending up late for the ballot boxes being opened. Nil points so far for organisation!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:27:52.604Z">10.27pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Libby Brooks has sent this from the Glasgow count.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waiting for the first ballots to arrive at the Glasgow count <a href="https://t.co/Hba3ISCout">https://t.co/Hba3ISCout</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:26:50.920Z">10.26pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Chris Grayling</strong>, the former justice secretary and a prominent Tory leave supporter, has also declined to say his side might have lost. “It’s much too early,” he told Sky News. “We have no idea what the result’s going to be.” Labour’s Alan Johnson, a main figure in remain, agreed: “It’s the first time in six weeks I’ve agreed with Chris,” he said. “For a post-match analysis we have to wait for post match.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:25:12.830Z">10.25pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The first predictions from MPs are trickling through and Labour’s <strong>Chuka Umunna</strong> has said that he is “reasonably confident” of the result he and the remain side have been campaigning for.</p><p>“I am reasonably confident that hopefully remain gets the result but it could go the other way,” he told Sky News a little earlier when pressed.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:24:04.143Z">10.24pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leave think <strong>Nigel Farage</strong> may be right. (See<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe?page=with:block-576c4e83e4b0be24d34f5a0f#block-576c4e83e4b0be24d34f5a0f"> 10.03pm.) </a>“Nigel Farage is probably right,” one Leave source said. </p><p>55-45 for Remain is on the cards. But that means about as many will have voted for Brexit as voted for every government since War.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:23:40.088Z">10.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Our education editor <strong>Richard Adams</strong> has sent this from Oxford:</p><p>Some unusually high turnouts are being reported around Oxfordshire, where an extra 30,000 people joined the electoral roll compared with the last general election.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well, Oxford seems convinced - clear cross party support for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Remain?src=hash">#Remain</a> on display today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/dLbJmyQrJm">pic.twitter.com/dLbJmyQrJm</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:23:33.935Z">10.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The YouGov poll has seen the pound climb even higher, now up to a new high for the year of close to $1.50, while the FTSE 100 is forecast to open around 90 points higher tomorrow. Investors clearly like the idea that the Remain campaign may be in the lead.</p><p>Michael Hewson at City firm CMC Markets said: “Just prior to polls closing late money bets on the betting markets saw stock market futures and sterling surge higher;</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:21:11.942Z">10.21pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In Sunderland (for reasons best know to themselves) they pride themselves on declaring election results more quickly than anywhere else in the country. Here is some video of the boxes being rushed to the count.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:18:07.164Z">10.18pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Britain Stronger in Europe say they are not getting too carried away by the YouGov poll. “We got burnt by YouGov last year,” a source says. “It’s too close to call.”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:17:05.104Z">10.17pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Iain Duncan Smith</strong>, the Conservative former work and pensions secretary,<strong> </strong>on BBC News has declined to call it for remain, saying it is still too close to call. “We don’t know where we are, and that’s what make it very difficult to call,” he said.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:15:35.484Z">10.15pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Peter Kellner</strong>, the former YouGov president, has come out with his final prediction. He thinks Remain will have a lead over Leave of about 8.5%, <a href="http://politicscounter.com/?p=95">as he explain on his blog</a>.</p><p>Let’s assume the polls haven’t screwed up completely, and the true eve-of-referendum position, including Gibraltar and expatriate voters, was Remain 51.2-55.3%, Leave 44.7-48.8%. Adding in on-the day effects that hover between neutral and a 2 point lift for Remain, the final UK result should be somewhere in the range of Remain 51.2-57.3%, Leave 42.7-48.8%</p><p>This gives us a mid-point prediction of an 8.5% lead for remain, or a majority of around 2.5 million of votes cast. But don’t be surprised if the gap is less than one million – or as much as four million. And if the phone polls have been systematically overstating support for Remain throughout the campaign, then a victory for Brexit is perfectly possible.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:13:06.941Z">10.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The final turnout in Gibraltar if 84%, the BBC reports.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:12:14.879Z">10.12pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In a general election the psephologists can start to work out who’s winning or losing as soon as the first results come in by looking at the swing - the difference between the new result, and the last election in the constituency. Obviously that won’t be possible this time, but there are ways of working out whether Leave and Remain are doing better or worse than expected.</p><p>The results are being counted in 380 council areas in Britain. Northern Ireland, which counts as one areas, and Gibraltar, take the total number of areas to 382. Using data from the British Election Survey (an ongoing mass and very thorough opinion poll), the academic<strong> Professor Chris Hanretty</strong> has ranked all areas according to how likely they are to vote Leave or Remain. He explains his methodology in a blog <a href="https://medium.com/@chrishanretty/the-eu-referendum-what-to-expect-on-the-night-521792dd3eef#.axkh0r2mh">here,</a> and the full table is<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tRE59IkgeRREISpM75I8gR0MdkGe1diParW0hVO109Y/edit?usp=sharing"> here (pdf). </a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:10:02.656Z">10.10pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is more on the YouGov poll.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">YouGov on-the-day poll: REMAIN 52, LEAVE 48 <a href="https://t.co/TFlAcGcYIR">pic.twitter.com/TFlAcGcYIR</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking: exclusive <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews">@skynews</a>/ Yougov poll of 3000 today has Remain at 52: Leave at 48 - NOT an exit poll</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:08:55.321Z">10.08pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>But, just to make things confusing,<strong> Leave.EU</strong>, the group linked to Ukip, has put out a news statement saying it has polled 10.000 people over the last two days. It says its figures put Leave 4-points ahead.</p><p>Leave: 52%</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:06:13.925Z">10.06pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>YouGov </strong>has carried a poll of 5,000 people and YouGov’s Joe Twyman has just announced the figures on Sky News. Here are the figures:</p><p>Remain: 52%</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T21:03:34.093Z">10.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>According to Sky News,<strong> Nigel Farage</strong>, the Ukip leader, is saying “it looks like Remain will edge it”.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:59:41.104Z">9.59pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In the City the markets appear to be betting on a Remain result. Earlier, shares moved sharply higher as did sterling.</p><p>And in the last half an hour before the polls closed the pound’s rise has accelerated. It is currently up 1.35% at $1.4903, not quite at its high for the day but heading back in that direction.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The pound builds on gains just before end of voting day <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/d8isG7Lyjh">pic.twitter.com/d8isG7Lyjh</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pound volatility has crashed while polling stations still open as speculators sell vol out of fear of boring results <a href="https://t.co/RdYo9Utj16">pic.twitter.com/RdYo9Utj16</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fear Index Vix drops as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> angst cools. <a href="https://t.co/kGz9CoIFl2">pic.twitter.com/kGz9CoIFl2</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:58:20.971Z">9.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As the polls close, here are two poll of polls.</p><p><a href="http://whatukthinks.org/eu/opinion-polls/poll-of-polls/">The What UK Thinks poll of polls</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:55:03.563Z">9.55pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The last time Britain had a referendum on membership of the European Union (or common market or European Economic Community [EEC], as we called it then), Remain won easily. It was 1975 and Britain had only been a member for two years, but the Labour prime minister, Harold Wilson, called a referendum because his party was fundamentally split over Europe. The government, the opposition, business, all of Fleet Street except the Morning Star and most of the establishment backed staying in and Yes to the common market won by 67% to 33%. Afterwards, asked to explain the result, Roy Jenkins, the home secretary, said: “The people took the advice of people they were used to following.” </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-night-when-to-nap-and-the-results-to-watch">Referendum results guide: when to nap and the places to watch</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe">Continue reading...</a>EU referendum and BrexitPoliticsUK newsEuropeEuropean UnionForeign policyConservativesLabourUK Independence party (Ukip)Scottish politicsWelsh politicsDavid CameronMichael GoveBoris JohnsonFri, 24 Jun 2016 11:47:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europePhotograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty ImagesAndrew Sparrow (until 8.30am) and Matthew Weaver (now)2016-06-24T11:47:52ZEuropean Union referendum polling day – as it happenedhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave
<ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe"><strong>EU Referendum results – live coverage</strong></a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-day-queues-polling-stations">Polling stations busy as voting gets under way</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/22/eu-referendum-sign-up-for-our-experimental-mobile-alerts">Sign up for our referendum alerts for Android phones</a><br></li><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-results-and-analysis">EU referendum results – live tracker</a></li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:59:08.931Z">9.59pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The polls are closing now following a campaign which many believe was the most divisive in British politics.</p><p>On election nights, it’s usually at this time that broadcasters put out their exit polls and make their projection for the night ahead. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-result-live-counting-leave-remain-brain-in-europe">EU referendum result: counting begins in poll to decide Britain's future – live</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:52:54.954Z">9.52pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’re getting some reports around the country of people who say that they have been turned away from election booths.</p><p>They include people who turned up, polling card in hand, only to be told that their name was not on a list.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:38:38.758Z">9.38pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Has Boris Johnson conceded defeat even before the polling stations close or is this a little bit of mischief? </p><p>Lewis Iwu, a Londoner, says that he bumped into the MP on the underground a little earlier and was asked if he voted leave.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just been asked on tube by <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson">@BorisJohnson</a> if I voted leave. I say no. He concedes He's lost anyway. Awkward <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/sAGcNevw3l">pic.twitter.com/sAGcNevw3l</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:33:29.615Z">9.33pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’re into the last half an hour of voting. Traditionally there’s a bit of a rush in some places. Let’s see ...</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:27:22.180Z">9.27pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As any veteran of election/referendum all-nighters knows, it’s crucial to have a ready supply of unhealthy sugary drinks and snacks close to hand. Bit worried about Robert Peston’s paltry stock at ITV at this stage ...</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The referendum M&amp;Ms are out and on the table - <a href="https://twitter.com/tombradby">@tombradby</a> has 2 packs down by his feet all night, <a href="https://twitter.com/Peston">@Peston</a> tucking in <a href="https://t.co/mim2IO2vPt">pic.twitter.com/mim2IO2vPt</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:20:32.041Z">9.20pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Global stock markets have been climbing sharply today as investors took the view that the UK was increasingly unlikely to vote to leave the European Union, reports the Guardian’s Nick Fletcher.</p><p>The Dow Jones Industrial Average has just closed 1.29% higher, with banking shares among the main gainers. Earlier in London the FTSE 100 finished 1.23% higher, while the pound is currently up 1% at $1.4875.</p><p>But the recent rally could be dramatically reversed if the leave campaign does end up winning the day.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:16:55.568Z">9.16pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Away from the torrential rain in some parts of Britain, the possibility of Brexit has been very much on the minds of Britons in sunny southern Spain. A sleepless night beckons for some, it seems.<br></p><p> The Guardian’s Sam Jones has been canvassing opinion in <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/orihuela+costa/@37.9955088,-0.9715485,11z/data=!3m1!4b1">Orihuela Costa</a>, the largest British enclave in Spain:</p><p>Early evening found Colin Lindgren nursing an al fresco pint at the Emerald Isle club and reflecting on his paradoxical feelings about Brexit.</p><p>Like many of the expats who have made homes here, the retired 75-year-old, originally from Bedfordshire, would hate to give up the life of sunshine he and his wife have enjoyed for 14 years.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:11:06.483Z">9.11pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Academic researchers have concluded that 61.6% of young voters intended to vote to remain in the EU. </p><p>That’s a survey – the details have just come – by Oxford and University of Manchester researchers who worked with the data firm RIWI to run the survey from the beginning of March up to June. Partial responses came from 7,444 people under the age of 40.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T20:01:02.076Z">9.01pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A last email push is being made by both sides.</p><p>One which has arrived from Boris Johnson says:</p><p>Polls close in 90 minutes, so obviously we don’t have time for long emails. If you have voted leave, thank you.</p><p>If you haven’t yet, please do. And please email, text or phone all your friends to Vote Leave.</p><p>It looks like there could be a record number of people at the polls today, showing just how historic an event and how important this decision is to all of us.</p><p>If you haven’t voted yet — don’t miss out on being a part of it.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:53:27.805Z">8.53pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A dispatch comes in from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/glastonbury">Glastonbury</a>, where the Guardian’s Hannah Ellis-Petersen says that there’s general agreement that the “Glastonbury bubble” is a welcome break from the political bickering. That said:</p><p>Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis may have had no qualms about loudly declaring their voting intentions in the EU referendum, but the once-in-a-generation poll proved more divisive among the 180,000 festivalgoers who arrived in the last 24 hours. </p><p>Eavis was not allowed to have a polling station on site but had repeatedly urged people coming on Thursday or before to arrange either a postal or proxy vote – advice it seems many followed.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:43:58.885Z">8.43pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A council in an area where a polling booth was temporarily closed after a man was stabbed nearby has been using Twitter to let voters know that it’s open again.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The polling station at Waverley Road, Hudds, has now reopened. Anyone who could not vote in the 30 minute closure can return up to 10pm</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:27:43.308Z">8.27pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Remain campaigners in Islington, a Labour stronghold that includes the constituencies of Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, seem confident that rain and occasional thunder and lightning haven’t damaged their chances of success.</p><p>The Guardian’s David Pegg, who is anchored in deepest Islington, reports:<br></p><p>Despite comments from Nigel Farage earlier in the day anticipating that the bad weather could favour the leave campaign by putting off “soft remainers”, local activists canvassing outside schools and stations in an effort to reach parents and commuters said they felt positive.</p><p>“Turnout appears to have been fairly high. An awful lot of people are saying ‘I’ve already voted’,” said Freddie Wilkinson, leafleting outside Highbury and Islington station. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Remain camp outside Highbury and Islington station <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> <a href="https://t.co/DdRNCC9uGF">pic.twitter.com/DdRNCC9uGF</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:23:11.425Z">8.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/eu-ballot-papers-pencils-conspiracy-fears-social-media-voters">That #usepens hashtag</a> continues to trend on Twitter, with some gentle (and not so gentle) mockery of the urgings from some (mainly pro-Brexit) quarters for voters to bring their own pens to ensure their papers are not altered in favour of a remain vote.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just voted. I took needle and black thread. I sewed in the cross on my ballot paper. My vote is secure! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/usepens?src=hash">#usepens</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/usepens?src=hash">#usepens</a> I took my portable laminator with me that'll stop them tampering with my vote, try and rub that out.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:13:38.392Z">8.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The conversations are still going on in south Wales, reports the Guardian’s Steve Morris.</p><p>In Cardiff campaigners have set up next to the statue of Aneurin Bevan – Labour party icon and architect of the NHS.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cardiff - the conversations still going on at the Aneurin Bevan statue. <a href="https://t.co/FWc6fiCosP">pic.twitter.com/FWc6fiCosP</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/RhonddaBryant">@RhonddaBryant</a> out and about in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rhondda?src=hash">#Rhondda</a> people coming up saying they <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VotedRemain?src=hash">#VotedRemain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/welshlabour">@welshlabour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UKLabourIN">@UKLabourIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/9xeP1D7s9Q">pic.twitter.com/9xeP1D7s9Q</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T19:05:25.017Z">8.05pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>So, are the polls going to get it right this time? The Guardian’s Tom Clark has been looking at how the EU referendum is the pollsters’ big chance to regain some credibility.<br></p><p>Here’s a snatch<br></p><p>The big flaw unveiled in the thorough post-election <a href="http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org/tag/inquiry/">inquiry for the industry</a>, by Prof Patrick Sturgis, has not been satisfactorily addressed. </p><p>The root problem, he found, was not last-minute jitters in the ballot box or inadequate turnout filters, but rather a brute failure by the pollsters to interview the right people.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T18:58:02.502Z">7.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>For those having trouble getting home because of the weather, I’m afraid it’s too late to apply for an emergency proxy – the deadline was 5pm today.</p><p>It seems unlikely that transport problems would be accepted as a valid reason anyway, as people stranded overseas today because of the strike by French air traffic controllers were told they were not entitled to appoint an emergency proxy.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In London/SE and want to vote in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a>? Make sure you plan now to get back to your local polling station by 10pm!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T18:20:05.101Z">7.20pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Very high turnouts have been reported in the back yard of<a href="http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/regions/bristol/charlotte-leslie-to-vote-brexit-at-eu-referendum-21062016095125/"> the only pro-Brexit MP in Bristol, Charlotte Leslie</a>. </p><p>Clerks in polling stations on council estates, littered with leave signs, said that they were “not as high as 75%, but close”. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turnout high in these parts <a href="https://t.co/eUlbn4D8hy">pic.twitter.com/eUlbn4D8hy</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T18:14:02.535Z">7.14pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>West Yorkshire police have confirmed that they were called to a stabbing near a polling station in Huddersfield at 5.15pm, but said the incident had nothing to do with today’s referendum. </p><p>The polling station on Waverley Road was closed for half an hour to “contain the scene”, but has now reopened.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T18:10:15.720Z">7.10pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The problems at London transport hubs could potentially affect the ability of thousands of people to vote. </p><p>Waterloo, where there appears to be no service at all, serves 90 million passengers a year, which is about 250,000 a day on average (although the average obviously includes weekends and holidays).</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At London Cannon St. No trains. Haven't voted. Ballot on kitchen table in Kent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flooding?src=hash">#flooding</a> <a href="https://t.co/aalup8IZjH">pic.twitter.com/aalup8IZjH</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chaos and overcrowding at London stations. People at Charing Cross panicking about getting home to vote (including me!).</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">London Bridge Station shut!!! Aragh! Just hope I can board a train in time to vote! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteRemain?src=hash">#VoteRemain</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well I've made it through the scrum onto a train at Victoria. Let's hope it moves now. I'm only on this train to get to vote!!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T17:34:37.761Z">6.34pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A reader has got in touch to say that turnout may not be high everywhere:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Haroon_Siddique">@Haroon_Siddique</a> for balance re turnout: dad is poll clerk in Dudley, says pretty slow so far, maybe 40% only</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T17:32:40.341Z">6.32pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Scotland’s chief returning officer, Mary Pitcaithly, has predicted overall turnout in Scotland will reach about 70-80% after a day of “steady” voting at polling stations.</p><p>Pitcaithly told BBC Radio Scotland she did not expect turnout to reach the 85% seen in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, which she oversaw, but agreed it would still be high.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T17:30:55.593Z">6.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The storms have brought Waterloo station to a standstill, potentially affecting thousands of passengers who may not have voted. </p><p>The station is a major hub for people commuting from outside London many of whom would likely have left in the morning too early to vote. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Or maybe stuck at Waterloo, watching the crowds, destined to rue my missed vote for evermore <a href="https://t.co/QuSeg918iq">pic.twitter.com/QuSeg918iq</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Still stuck on a <a href="https://twitter.com/SW_Trains">@SW_Trains</a> train in Waterloo. Can I apply for an emergency proxy vote? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wexit?src=hash">#wexit</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I did want to vote <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/referendum?src=hash">#referendum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waterloo?src=hash">#waterloo</a> <a href="https://t.co/1P4Qm6frdv">pic.twitter.com/1P4Qm6frdv</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can't vote if we are all stuck at Waterloo station, this may cause an issue! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T17:14:32.285Z">6.14pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>More on the pens saga from PA, which reports that police were called to a polling station where a woman was handing out pens to fellow voters after a volunteer reported a “disturbance”. </p><p>A Sussex Police spokesman said: </p><p>Police were called to Durnford Close, Chichester, at around 12.25pm on Thursday 23 June by a volunteer reporting a disturbance outside a polling station. </p><p>A PCSO [police community support officer] who was in the area went to the scene and spoke with a woman who was handing out pens.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:56:50.644Z">5.56pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There are some interesting tweets about turnout coming through:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Experienced clerk in a Dorset polling station predicts turnout there by 10pm (incl postal votes already received) between 78% - 82%. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some places in Leicestershire seeing record turnout too and record postal votes, I'm told</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:52:04.205Z">5.52pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Schools in Bristol, painted as a great remain heartland, ran mock referenda today. Of course it’s not the real thing and only a bit of a laugh but there was an interesting split. In the affluent northern suburb at Redland Green school, <a draggable="true" href="http://%20http//www.redlandgreen.bristol.sch.uk/News/Results-of-the-RGS-Mock-EUref/">of the 475 staff and pupils who voted, 440 backed staying in the EU. That’s 93% of the vote.</a></p><p>Meanwhile in the less well-off southern fringe of Hartcliffe, students were more evenly split. Pupils at Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe backed remain. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the <a href="https://twitter.com/Bristol_BLC">@Bristol_BLC</a> EU referendum students voted to remain by 51% with a turnout of 61% Thanks for taking part!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:48:49.598Z">5.48pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Some interesting constituency by constituency figures are coming out of Northern Ireland that show voting is slow in republican areas while unionist districts are recording higher votes.</p><p>In North Down - the most affluent constituency in Northern Ireland - polling stations were reporting that 22% of the electorate had voted by lunchtime today. North Down usually records one of the lowest electoral turnouts in Westminster and Stormont Assembly elections. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:41:48.068Z">5.41pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>After the BBC reported earlier this week that<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27486392"> poll station staff were receiving “training in what a selfie is”</a>, with the hope of preventing photography while people vote, it appears smartphones are posing a threat to the privacy of poll booths.</p><p>Taking a photo inside a polling station is not of itself against the law but section 66 of the Representation of the People Act says:</p><p>No person shall communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the referendum answer for which a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:22:45.866Z">5.22pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here is a round-up of the key developments so far today:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T16:12:13.161Z">5.12pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Investors have put their money on a vote to remain in Britain’s EU referendum, with the pound hitting a new high for 2016 and the FTSE 100 share index rallying strongly.</p><p>As the market exuberance of recent trading sessions continued throughout polling day itself, there were, however, fresh warnings that investors were setting themselves up for heavy losses in the event of a Brexit when the outcome of the referendum becomes clear on Friday.</p><p>Clearly the key issue now for currency markets is whether rising expectations that the status quo will prevail are well-placed.</p><p>Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of tomorrow morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time. Dramatic exchange rate swings are to be expected regardless of the result, with a sharp drop in the pound’s value possible in the event of a Brexit.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T15:35:25.176Z">4.35pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>It may be polling day but there is no respite from the bitterness between the two opposing campaigns. </p><p>Stronger in Europe has hit out at a plea by Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliot, sent by email to Brexit supporters, urging them to vote, because: </p><p>There is a very real chance that voters in London and Scotland will vote to keep us in the EU today despite the heartlands of the country voting to leave.</p><p>Vote Leave are ending this campaign as they began it – by seeking to divide our country not unite it, turning regions, nations and communities against one another.</p><p>Londoners and Scots have as much right to exercise their democratic choice as anyone else. Implying that our votes are somehow less legitimate than those cast in other parts of Britain is utterly disgraceful.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/vote_leave">@vote_leave</a> campaign team not just desperate but weird. Since when did London/Scotland stop being UK heartlands? <a href="https://t.co/rJz41e5Jzw">pic.twitter.com/rJz41e5Jzw</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T15:29:34.422Z">4.29pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Pollsters have suggested that the elderly are more likely to vote and more likely to vote “leave”. So the vote by Keith Adams’s mum today may come as little surprise but it was the way she exercised her democratic right that got it trending on Twitter. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just took my 93 year old mum to vote. She's registered blind. She shouted "Expecto Patronum" to banish the Dementors. Everyone cheered.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/p0R1Ku2Y6P">pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. She's unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T15:05:38.768Z">4.05pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Earlier the pound surged to a 2016 high against the dollar and also appreciated against the Euro but it has fallen back this afternoon:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sterling?src=hash">#Sterling</a> falling sharply vs <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24USD&amp;src=ctag">$USD</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24EUR&amp;src=ctag">$EUR</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters">@Reuters</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Remain?src=hash">#Remain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a> <a href="https://t.co/vtoAy9mDL2">pic.twitter.com/vtoAy9mDL2</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T14:29:15.331Z">3.29pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>One of my Guardian colleagues, Maya Wolfe-Robinson, has been told that an inability to get back to vote because of strike action on the continent is insufficient reason to be allowed an emergency proxy.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So I'm stranded in Italy due to French air traffic control strikes&amp;unable to vote.Apparently others in same position</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Electoral services won't allow as reason for emergency proxy though which seems pretty unfair. Any suggestions?</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/ElectoralCommUK">@ElectoralCommUK</a> stuck in Barcelona due to French air traffic control strike, I need to vote</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well I wanted 2 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leave?src=hash">#leave</a> Europe 2day but the French Air Traffic strike has forced me 2 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/remain?src=hash">#remain</a> so I can't vote now but at least the sun is out</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T14:12:52.768Z">3.12pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T14:10:02.687Z">3.10pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Earlier we highlighted this lovely gallery of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/gallery/2016/jun/23/quirky-referendum-polling-stations-in-pictures">quirky polling stations up and down the land</a> from the Guardian’s picture desk. We’re also starting to receive pictures from readers around the country.</p><p>Emma Cozzi sent this, a church community centre in Hove.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T14:03:24.493Z">3.03pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Amidst all the political gambling on the outcome of the referendum, William Hill points to an interesting activity in a side bet on Theresa May becoming the next Tory leader. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:55:49.066Z">2.55pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Nigel Farage is still expected at a Leave.EU party hosted by Ukip donor Arron Banks tonight, despite triggering speculation over his whereabouts by pulling out of a Channel 4 debate last night citing family reasons. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:47:36.319Z">2.47pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The library in Birstall, outside which MP Jo Cox was murdered seven days ago, is serving as a polling station and there is a light police presence outside.</p><p>David Smith, the deputy returning officer in the area, says turnout seems high (postal voter turnout looks like it will be over 80%) and that the region’s count hall in Huddersfield will hold a minute’s silence for the MP at 11.30am.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:38:58.715Z">2.38pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Turnout could be similar to last year’s general election, according to a BMG Research poll for the <a href="http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/">Electoral Reform Society</a> [ERS]. It found that 67% of people said they would definitely vote and a further 12% said they would probably vote. At last year’s election the turnout was 66%. </p><p>A high turnout is thought likely to favour remain, but the survey also found that older people who are more likely to vote leave are more likely to vote than younger people. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:23:08.902Z">2.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Welsh first minister – and Labour leader in Wales - Carwyn Jones has voted.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carwyn Jones <a href="https://twitter.com/fmwales">@fmwales</a> has cast his vote. "Let's stay in, stay strong and stay together. By voting to remain" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yngzj8G04F">pic.twitter.com/Yngzj8G04F</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:21:21.205Z">2.21pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Remain campaigners in <a href="http://www.thenational.scot/politics/a-wish-to-remain-campaigners-bring-colour-to-the-eu-campaign-with-wish-trees-in-glasgow.19100">Glasgow have set up a wish tree in Buchanan Street </a>to rival those set up during the independence campaign. </p><p>In case you missed this from the indyref it was a charmingly empowering/nauseatingly twee device that we had <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/scottish-independence-blog/2014/sep/05/scottish-independence-referendum-weekly-review-jim-murphy-and-the-wish-tree">a lot up here with folk leaving their wishes for an independent Scotland.</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There *is* an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a> wish tree! All is not lost... <a href="https://t.co/xcCuq04Uqf">https://t.co/xcCuq04Uqf</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T13:13:59.378Z">2.13pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Nigel Farage has put out a final Leave.EU video appeal that picks up Boris Johnson rallying cry to make today “Independence Day”. It features lots of nostalgic clips: Ian Botham winning the ashes in 1981, British troops in the Falklands, steam trains, and spitfires. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:58:52.182Z">1.58pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Column Eastwood leader of the SDLP has used his daughter Rosa (who is one today) to make a last ditch video appeal for remain. </p><p>Talking outside a local polling station in Derry city he said: “I want to make sure Rosa grows up in the European Union”.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:48:47.335Z">1.48pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>We’ve been asking our readers to send over their referendum day photographs and comments. Here’s a selection:<br></p><p><strong>Mark, 49, Cologne: </strong><br></p><p>The EU referendum has been in the news here a lot and Germany is fully aware of the implications whichever way the result goes. Germany does not want to see the UK leave and truly believe we’re stronger together. I’m an expat who came to Germany after leaving the RAF and married my German spouse. I came over 20 years ago. Now all I can now do is sit and watch, as I’m not allowed to vote due to being away from the UK for too long. The rest of my family are all in the UK and I know they’ll be making the right decision. As for me? I will have to wait until breakfast tomorrow for the result. </p><p>It was a busy polling station in Melbourne at 7am this morning, I was accompanied to vote by my cocker spaniel, Bella and border terrier, Daisy, who are now regular attendees at the polling station. Unfortunately the dogs were so enthusiastic they ruined a fellow voters white trousers by jumping up! </p><p>I’m a student at the University of London Institute in Paris, and will be following the coverage in Paris with my other British friends who live here. None of the French people can understand why we would leave. I don’t either. </p><p>My polling station has pimped up for the day with a lot of patriotic memorabilia. Is this what democracy looks like? </p><p>I’ve only voted twice before, but both of those times I was in and out of the polling station within minutes. Today, when I arrived, there was a queue of around 15 people lined up outside – it was 8am! The most encouraging thing was that of these 15 people, around two thirds were under 25. I’m so glad that my generation is engaging in this referendum, which in my opinion could be the most important decision we could make.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:42:21.735Z">1.42pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There’s been little sign of leave campaigner Boris Johnson today. That’s because he’s been attending his daughter graduation ceremony in St Andrews. Will he make it back to London in time to vote? </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:37:21.679Z">1.37pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>A poll of polls by Britain Elects puts the likely outcome on 51% for remain and 49% for leave. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With Populus, Mori, ComRes, YouGov, Opinium, TNS and Survation, our averages stand at: Remain: 51.0%<br>Leave: 49.0% <a href="https://t.co/C8jebJ9aAA">pic.twitter.com/C8jebJ9aAA</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:30:24.387Z">1.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Polls in the last 10 days of the campaign have been split, but the last four all have Remain ahead.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The final final polling table - the numbers against which the pollsters will be judged <a href="https://t.co/0wyCVgo4Qy">pic.twitter.com/0wyCVgo4Qy</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:28:29.974Z">1.28pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Long queues have been reported outside some polling stations as voters cast their ballots in Britain’s closely fought <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/eu-referendum">EU referendum</a>.<br></p><p>In London and parts of the south-east many were forced to brave torrential rain and navigated flooded streets to have their say.<br></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-day-queues-polling-stations">Long queues reported outside referendum polling stations</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:22:28.002Z">1.22pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Voting is said to be “brisk” across Northern Ireland in the EU referendum according to the Electoral Office in the region.</p><p>Unofficially it is said the vote could be as high as 70% in the region. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:19:00.071Z">1.19pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>North Wiltshire Tory MP James Gray (a passionate leave supporter) says if people vote to remain he will accept “the democratic will of the people”, but only if it is a “reasonable majority” suggestion around 60-40.</p><p>Are the Leave campaigners paving the way for the next wave of campaigning if they lose?</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wilts MP James Gray (leave supporter) says he will accept remain result - if it's "reasonable" maj - say 60/40. <a href="https://t.co/nfUAD4obQU">pic.twitter.com/nfUAD4obQU</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:16:58.282Z">1.16pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Betfair has taken £5m on the EU referendum this morning as punters rush to place final bets ahead of tomorrow’s results.</p><p>There has been a flurry of bets, predominantly on staying in the EU, according to a spokeswoman. “The Scottish referendum saw nearly £10m traded on the day, so we’re anticipating at least that amount,” she said. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:09:31.347Z">1.09pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There’s been flooding outside the Grange primary school in Newham, east London.</p><p>Eyewitness Ben March said people were “hitching up their trousers and wading through the water” to cast their votes. </p><p>There should be no problem accessing and assistance is on hand for those needing it.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The polling station at Sacred Heart School, New Malden today. Wear your wellies to vote! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Referendum?src=hash">#Referendum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flooding?src=hash">#Flooding</a> <a href="https://t.co/ihgvZCPnKf">pic.twitter.com/ihgvZCPnKf</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heavy rainfall overnight has lead to us having to move a polling station in Chessington <a href="https://t.co/1n6AJhE0fw">pic.twitter.com/1n6AJhE0fw</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Heavy rainfall overnight has lead to us having to move a further polling station in Malden Manor <a href="https://t.co/xmnC0RfbXP">pic.twitter.com/xmnC0RfbXP</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T12:04:28.715Z">1.04pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Tea rooms, front rooms, mobile homes, a Buddhist centre and a launderette – here’s our photo gallery of quirky polling stations. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/gallery/2016/jun/23/quirky-referendum-polling-stations-in-pictures">Quirky referendum polling stations - in pictures</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:34:42.390Z">12.34pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has voted at Tonypandy in south Wales.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood leaves polling station in Penygraig, s. Wales <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/referendum?src=hash">#referendum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/lGtnk6sZb1">pic.twitter.com/lGtnk6sZb1</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:33:35.703Z">12.33pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Down amongst the detail of today’s Ipsos Mori poll are a couple of interesting nuggets. Two weeks into the campaign the Ipsos Mori polls showed that immigration had overtaken concerns about the impact of Brexit on the economy as the issue which was the most important in helping people to decide how to vote.</p><p> Last week’s poll which had a six point Leave lead had 33% of people naming immigration as the decisive issue for them.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBP?src=hash">#GBP</a> jumps after <a href="https://twitter.com/IpsosMORI">@IpsosMORI</a> releases opinion -not exit- poll for 52% Remain. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/uBBRj7GjQe">pic.twitter.com/uBBRj7GjQe</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:30:54.589Z">12.30pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Spain’s El Mundo carries an interview with Winston Churchill’s grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames. In it, not for the first time, Soames declares : “My grandfather would have voted to remain.”</p><p lang="es" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaPortada?src=hash">#LaPortada</a> del jueves 23 de junio. <a href="https://t.co/7FypDH3MJh">pic.twitter.com/7FypDH3MJh</a></p><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Me gustaba más cuando los británicos intentaban liberar Europa que cuando intentan abandonarla <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bremain?src=hash">#Bremain</a> <a href="https://t.co/2MMJpZqMKI">https://t.co/2MMJpZqMKI</a></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/britons-vote-in-our-name-uk-referendum-dominates-continental-front-pages">'Britons, vote in our name': UK referendum dominates continental front pages</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:26:32.901Z">12.26pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The first Brexit copycat has emerged in a country that has not yet gained entry to the EU.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:23:03.919Z">12.23pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Brexit dominates Italy’s front pages, deemed “Europe’s longest day” by La Repubblica and business daily Il Sole 24 Ore. </p><p>Rome’s top paper, Il Messaggero, carries a bleak image of the “anxiety and fear of the British, divided on the destiny of the Kingdom”. It says the climate in Britain has become even more poisonous since the murder of MP Jo Cox. The staunchly anti-EU Il Giornale carries a photo of a “Keep Calm &amp; Vote Leave” van, declaring that whoever wins, Brussels has lost.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T11:16:56.195Z">12.16pm <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s a summary of where things currently stand just over five hours since polls opened:</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:51:52.757Z">11.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Help us document what’s happening around the UK on polling day by sharing your stories, photos and videos. Show us what’s been happening in your community and at polling stations around the country. If you’re following the election from outside of the UK, tell us how and why. We’ll feature your stories throughout our coverage, so get in touch.</p><p>You can share your photos and experiences by clicking on the blue ‘Contribute’ button at the top of the live blog.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/whats-happening-where-you-are-on-eu-referendum-polling-day">What's happening where you are on EU referendum polling day?</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:50:28.231Z">11.50am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>More about pencils (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave?page=with:block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21#block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21">number 2 on the Cowley list</a>). A trusted contact of our North of England editor Helen Pidd, emailed this:</p><p>“I run a polling station and it is very noticeable how many voters today are bringing their own pens and even sharpies to register their vote rather than use the pencils provided in the booth. Worrying lack of trust in the counting system and I assume someone has put out some sort of rumour that votes made in pencil can be erased, which as you know is ridiculous.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I voted in pencil just in case MI5 need to change it later</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:43:12.090Z">11.43am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Spaniards tend to be very proud Europeans, which is one of the reasons there’s so much interest here in the referendum.</p><p>But there’s another very, very strong reason why Spanish eyes are fixed so firmly on the UK today.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:40:44.209Z">11.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The LibDems lit up the foot of Edinburgh castle with a Remain messages.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:31:30.573Z">11.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In what is believed to be the first ever poll published on polling day, Ipsos Mori gives Remain a four point lead.</p><p>The phone survey was completed in the days before the referendum. </p><p lang="in" dir="ltr">EU referendum poll:<br>Remain: 52% (+5)<br>Leave: 48% (-5)<br>(via Ipsos Mori, phone)<br>Excl. DKs.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All the phone polls show REMAIN leads<br>All but YouGov of the online polls have LEAVE in the lead</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:23:24.219Z">11.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As predicted by Cowley (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave?page=with:block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21#block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21">number three on his list of things to watch</a>), we’re seeing a lot of dogs at polling stations.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dogs! That's 5/10 already. And it's only 9am. <a href="https://t.co/PxAJuObTr9">https://t.co/PxAJuObTr9</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DogsAtPollingStations?src=hash">#DogsAtPollingStations</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dogmocracyinaction?src=hash">#dogmocracyinaction</a><br><br>I've done my bit. <a href="https://t.co/tEAprpMFQy">pic.twitter.com/tEAprpMFQy</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just voted with <a href="https://twitter.com/BuddyPortsmouth">@BuddyPortsmouth</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUreferendum?src=hash">#EUreferendum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dogsatpollingstations?src=hash">#dogsatpollingstations</a> <a href="https://t.co/PDYnTk13Vm">pic.twitter.com/PDYnTk13Vm</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:20:06.004Z">11.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Ukip leader Nigel Farage joked with reporters that he had been “undecided” how to vote as he arrived at a polling station in a primary school near his home in north Kent.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:15:00.264Z">11.15am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Spain’s acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has taken an unequivocal line on Brexit, warning earlier this month that a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/02/brexit-vote-could-affect-brits-right-live-in-spain-spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy">leave vote affect the hundreds of thousands of Britons who live in Spain </a>and “would be very negative for everyone and from every perspective”.</p><p>Divorce from the EU, he stressed, would see British citizens forfeiting the rights to live and work across the continent.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T10:08:15.062Z">11.08am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Google Trends has been looking at <a href="https://googledataorg.cartodb.com/u/googledata/viz/28edaeda-38cc-11e6-847c-42010a14800c/embed_map">what UK internet users have been searching for in connection with the referendum. </a></p><p>The top issues by local authority revealed that ‘immigration’ (in red) was very prominent all over the country, but so too was the ‘NHS’ and the search term ‘Expats’. ‘Trade’ and the ‘economy’ were less prevalent. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:58:02.884Z">10.58am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The leave campaign has covered more of provincial and rural England in its efforts to persuade Britons to quit the EU, while the remain side has concentrated on urban centres. </p><p>Analysis by the Guardian, which pinpoints campaign stops made by four prominent campaigners on either side of the debate in the five weeks to 16 June, shows the leave side has largely ignored Scotland, Wales and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/northernireland">Northern Ireland</a>, while the remain camp has been absent in a large swath of eastern England.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-big-guns-aimed-at-their-own-heartlands">Split vote: EU referendum campaigns target heartland supporters</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:53:10.472Z">10.53am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Looking a little quiet on the <strong>Isles of Scilly</strong> at the moment.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can't wait?<br>Scilly is aiming to be first in the UK to return the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/referendum?src=hash">#referendum</a> vote today We are racing Sunderland RT <a href="https://t.co/zDOlO9cmFk">pic.twitter.com/zDOlO9cmFk</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:51:24.763Z">10.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p><strong>Over in the City, shares have hit their highest level since late April as investors remain glued to the EU referendum vote.</strong></p><p>The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares jumped by 1.5% to a two-month high, before dipping back a little, as Brits headed to the polling booths. Mining stocks and financial firms are among the risers.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/jun/23/pound-shares-markets-investors-await-eu-referendum-result----business-live">Pound and shares soar as investors await EU referendum result – business live</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:48:32.899Z">10.48am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Leave camp has a “very strong chance” of pulling off one of the biggest political upheavals of recent times, Ukip leader Nigel Farage has insisted.</p><p>Speaking outside his Kent home, Farage told PA: “Actually I do think we are in with a very strong chance, I do genuinely. But it’s all about turnout and those soft Remainers staying at home.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:44:29.859Z">10.44am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Who knows what happened in the privacy of the voting booth? Here’s video of Labour leader and reluctant remain campaigner before and after casting his vote in Islington. </p><p>“The bookies usually get it right,” Corbyn is heard to mutter, before adding “they got it wrong on me big time last year, didn’t they?”</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:38:59.229Z">10.38am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Justice secretary and leading Leave campaigner, Michael Gove, has voted in Kensignton. He was accompanied by his wife Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist who is the godmother to David Cameron’s youngest daughter. Note the Vote Leave brolley. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:31:26.816Z">10.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, said he hoped Britons would choose to stay in, but said Europe would deal with the issue in a “rational way” if the verdict was to leave, writes Saeed Kamali Dehghan in Oslo.</p><p lang="no" dir="ltr">Hva skjer om britene løsriver seg fra EU? Skjebnevalget er i dag. <a href="https://t.co/jxiXpQL43Q">pic.twitter.com/jxiXpQL43Q</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:21:41.588Z">10.21am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Labour activists are reporting brisk early business at polling stations in the south Welsh valleys, where the party has been working hard to get the vote out in one of its traditional heartlands.</p><p>But the result in Wales is going to be fascinating following Ukip’s excellent showing at the assembly elections last month when the party took seven seats.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I've done it!First time in my life I've voted.Heavily influenced by 2 people I trust.<a href="https://twitter.com/campbellclaret">@campbellclaret</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelsheen">@michaelsheen</a> .Can always blame them</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:16:08.172Z">10.16am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Gibraltar’s pro-remain chief minister Fabian Picardo has cast his vote. Polls suggest that 85% of the island want to remain in the EU. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T09:06:59.534Z">10.06am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>In his ten things to watch Philip Cowley warned us to be careful of reports of high turn out (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave?page=with:block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21#block-576b9617e4b030d83eb49b21">see earlier</a>). </p><p>But we can’t resist having some anecdotal reports from respected sources (what else can we write about on polling day?).</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Queues like I've never seen out the polling station in hackney <a href="https://t.co/oDUBM7wBVj">pic.twitter.com/oDUBM7wBVj</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I've never see such queues at my polling station as today! Swell them folks! Swell them!</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quite brisk turnout at my local Polling Station (Southampton) - queue at 7am. Seems slightly above gen election turnout.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two for the price of one. <a href="https://t.co/EeauoGR15A">https://t.co/EeauoGR15A</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:49:20.973Z">9.49am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon voted early. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:43:35.485Z">9.43am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the Gruffalo, has created <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/picture/2016/jun/23/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-brusselo">an image for the Guardian to demonstrate his support for Britain remaining in the EU</a>.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/picture/2016/jun/23/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-brusselo">'There's no such thing as a Brusselo!'</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:37:47.835Z">9.37am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Edinburgh council has reported that nearly a fifth of the city’s 345,000 voters have already submitted postal votes in the EU referendum, with more than 82% of the city’s postal voters returning their ballot paper by Wednesday evening.</p><p>The city has a high number of registered postal voters at 22%. The number returned so far does not include late submissions – postal votes can be handed into polling places on polling day. That 82% interim turnout is close to the 86% UK average for postal vote returns in the 2015 general election.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:36:49.627Z">9.36am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Remains campaigners are out in force in the West End and Partick areas of Glasgow, with the leave camp conspicuous by their absence around polling stations. </p><p>But I’m told that’s because Leave are concentrating on their get out the vote operation. Plus, the student/middle class/SNP make-up of the area probably doesn’t speak to their core support.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Remainers out in force in Glasgow's Hillhead as polling station officials report steady flow of early voters <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/bkJFhtRT5H">pic.twitter.com/bkJFhtRT5H</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:32:03.621Z">9.32am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Landmark buildings across Europe, including in Madrid and Warsaw, have been lit up with a Union Jack to show support for the Remain campaign, according to video from the Business Insider. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:27:48.634Z">9.27am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Here’s video of David and Samantha on their way to vote in central London. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:25:38.988Z">9.25am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Leading leave campaigner <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/23/exclusive-boris-johnson-interview-a-brexit-will-be-a-turning-poi/">Boris Johnson has told the Telegraph that today’s vote is more important to him than his future </a>in British politics.</p><p>“Frankly, if this is the end of my political career… I’ve done eight years as mayor of London, I enjoyed it hugely, it was a massive privilege. Fine by me.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2016/jun/23/steve-bells-if-boris-johnson-takes-leave-of-the-solar-system">Steve Bell’s If ... Boris Johnson takes leave of the solar system</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:13:43.135Z">9.13am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Both David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have cast their votes. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T08:02:21.404Z">9.02am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Philip Cowley, who teaches politics at Queen Mary University of London, has 10 things be wary of today. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2. Pencils! Pencils! Pencils! “I was asked to use a pencil. I refused, and used a pen”.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">4. Reports of problems at polling stations. This one is guaranteed.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">6. Everyone suddenly becoming an expert on share price movements.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">8. “Is there going to be an exit poll?”</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">10. “No, that’s not an exit poll”.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:48:01.146Z">8.48am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Reuters has followed up that front page promise by the German tabloid Bild to recognise England’s disputed goal in the 1966 world cup final. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Britain stays, <a href="https://twitter.com/BILD">@BILD</a> will acknowledge the Wembley goal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#Tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/suttonnick">@suttonnick</a> <a href="https://t.co/DPxHo0IbK9">pic.twitter.com/DPxHo0IbK9</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:42:22.433Z">8.42am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>One voter said she had to be carried into a flooded polling station. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I just had to be carried into a flooded polling station. It's something biblical... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/remain?src=hash">#remain</a> <a href="https://t.co/T8qeGC3zEd">pic.twitter.com/T8qeGC3zEd</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:37:26.536Z">8.37am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Police said they were not expecting trouble as tens of millions of Britons are expected to vote in Thursday’s referendum.</p><p>Despite a bitter and heated campaign, police said they expected a peaceful day. Police commanders have been issued with <a href="https://www.app.college.police.uk/app-content/policing-elections/key-roles-and-planning/">extensive guidance</a> on how to minimise the chances of electoral fraud with police chiefs keen not avoid getting caught up in the rancour surrounding Brexit.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:31:06.045Z">8.31am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>No voting problems reported so far in Barnet. The London <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/16/barnet-polling-blunder-compensation-claims-london-assembly-electoral-commission">borough has a lot to prove </a>after hundreds of people, including the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, were turned away at last month’s elections after a voting register blunder. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm today. Check the full list of polling stations in Barnet here: <a href="https://t.co/vb0HCJs5zw">https://t.co/vb0HCJs5zw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:23:40.999Z">8.23am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The Sun and the Guardian are diametrically opposed on the referendum, but both papers used views from space on their front pages to make their differing cases. </p><p>The Sun has Britain heading for the sunny uplands on “Independence Day” - the rallying cry of leave campaigner Boris Johnson. </p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thursday's Sun front page: Independence Day <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#Tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcpapers?src=hash">#bbcpapers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://t.co/AuLEe5znw4">pic.twitter.com/AuLEe5znw4</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Guardian front page, Thursday 23 June: Last-ditch push to stay in Europe <a href="https://t.co/xTHZwXGVgL">pic.twitter.com/xTHZwXGVgL</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Read our editor's full letter to readers on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/euref?src=hash">#euref</a> here <a href="https://t.co/5QEjLxOX98">https://t.co/5QEjLxOX98</a> <a href="https://t.co/iBG21zie8N">pic.twitter.com/iBG21zie8N</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T07:05:50.641Z">8.05am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>I’m handing over this live blog now to <strong>Matthew Weaver</strong>, who’ll cover the next several hours of polling day. Our live coverage runs right through to polls closing at 10pm and beyond, when <strong>Andrew Sparrow </strong>returns to catch all the results being churned out and turn them into sense. I’ll also be back on Friday morning for those key counts. Thanks for reading and for the many comments.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:56:52.750Z">7.56am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>The early morning weather in Glasgow is radiantly sunny, with all that is inferred to mean for turnout.</p><p>The Scottish papers are well aware of the importance of this country’s predicted EU-phile tendencies today, with the Scottish Daily Mail declaring that “Scotland holds the key to Brexit” and the Daily Record’s front-page banner urging readers to vote remain.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Polls open in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteRemain?src=hash">#VoteRemain</a> to continue to be an outward looking nation. Let's make Scotland's voice heard.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are stronger, safer and better off working with our friends and neighbours in the EU, not walking away. Vote <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Remain?src=hash">#Remain</a>.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:51:33.774Z">7.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>As the UK votes on whether to stay in the EU or leave, the Guardian sent seven photographers to capture the mood in various European communities who have made their home in the UK, from a Greek Orthodox church to a German bierkeller.</p><p>Whichever way you’re voting, these images are a beautiful way to kick off your day:</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2016/jun/23/brexit-europe-eu-nationals-in-uk-photo-essay">'Europe cannot stand alone without you': EU nationals in the UK – a photo essay</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:46:10.911Z">7.46am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>There’s only one important item on the agendas of investors across the world today. Britain is heading to the polls after a lengthy, bitterly fought campaign to decide if she stays in the European Union, or should leave.</p><p>Traders in the City are preparing for a lengthy shift – perhaps staying late into the night, or returning to the office early tomorrow morning.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/jun/23/pound-shares-markets-investors-await-eu-referendum-result----business-live">Pound rallies as investors await EU referendum result – business live</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:40:48.810Z">7.40am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>If you’re planning to stay up for the results tonight, you need to plot your day carefully. Sleep might, after all, be needed at some point. So my colleague Jessica Elgot has come up with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-night-when-to-nap-and-the-results-to-watch">this nifty hour-by-hour guide</a>, starting from 10pm:</p><p> Polls will close, and on election nights this is normally the moment broadcasters show their exit polls and make their projection for the night ahead.<br></p><p>However, that won’t happen this time as there’s no exit poll for this referendum. Some banks are said to have <a href="https://next.ft.com/content/7e26d896-241c-11e6-9d4d-c11776a5124d">commissioned private exit polls</a>, but they will be kept for their employees.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/23/referendum-night-when-to-nap-and-the-results-to-watch">Referendum night: when to nap and the results to watch</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:33:11.412Z">7.33am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Of course, it’s not just London and south-east England that have weather. Other parts of the UK are also entitled to have weather. Theirs is rather better today:</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's a gloriously sunny morning in Glasgow; assuming will positively affect turnout for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURef?src=hash">#EURef</a> if not voters' mood <a href="https://t.co/X8MlU0HVmR">pic.twitter.com/X8MlU0HVmR</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:30:41.418Z">7.30am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>With the polls telling us that around 10% of voters are still unsure how they will cast their ballot, you could perhaps do worse – OK, not much worse – than go by the roll of a dice. </p><p>(Pedantic readers, please note: I know it should be a die, but that reads oddly and I’m trying to keep things cheerful.)</p><p>The dice idea came into my head when <strong>David Cameron</strong> said ‘we must not roll a dice to decide out children’s future’. Everybody will be doing that because of misinformation. Most people will be metaphorically throwing a dice – we don’t know what will happen either way.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Voter leaves EU choice to chance by rolling dice: A CONFLICTED voter will entrust the fate of his referendum ... <a href="https://t.co/Xz0pA0i8bK">https://t.co/Xz0pA0i8bK</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T06:20:28.166Z">7.20am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Will rain in London and south-east England put off voters today? Spectacular thunder and lightning overnight might have caused a few to oversleep this morning, but the bigger problem is likely to be travel disruption caused by heavy downfalls and flash flooding in some areas.</p><p>The London Fire Brigade says it received a day’s worth of calls in just an hour and a half to reports of weather-related incidents including lightning striking property, flooded homes and businesses and rising waters trapping vehicles.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2016-06-23T05:51:52.138Z">6.51am <span class="timezone">BST</span></time> </p><p>Yes, it’s here: the day you’ve been dreaming of/dreading; the day you didn’t believe would ever really happen. Polling stations open this morning for those who haven’t already posted back their ballots (hello, decisive and organised voters!) to cast their cross to remain in the European Union or leave.</p><p>Here I’ve rounded up all you need to know for the long day ahead. Then this live blog – steered by me and a cast of colleagues – will take you through until polls close this evening, at which point <strong>Andrew Sparrow </strong>climbs into his seat for a night of results.</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A tribute to John Barnes from Team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INtogether?src=hash">#INtogether</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/officialbarnesy">@officialbarnesy</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteRemain?src=hash">#VoteRemain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strongerin?src=hash">#Strongerin</a><a href="https://t.co/kdUfHGJ5lJ">https://t.co/kdUfHGJ5lJ</a></p><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> summary:<br><br>Polls say REMAIN+2<br>Nowcast 52-48<br>Forecast 53-47<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brexit?src=hash">#Brexit</a> % chance 26 (-11)<a href="https://t.co/hUxOTPhRiB">https://t.co/hUxOTPhRiB</a> <a href="https://t.co/Oo8XwL278a">pic.twitter.com/Oo8XwL278a</a></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/19/eu-referendum-result-polls-britain-europe">How the EU referendum result will emerge in the hours after polls close</a> </p><p>On Friday, with the referendum over, I will join with radical and progressive movements across Europe to oppose your austerity strategy and the political cant that justifies it – aka neoclassical economics. And I will go on fighting the austerity imposed by the UK government …<br></p><p>I hope remain wins tomorrow. But the problem will still be there: neoliberal austerity promoted by the European Union is destroying the values of Europe. A generation of young people is being taught to despair and fear the future.<br></p><p> For all the fear and anger and viciousness, I believe voters will make the right decision. I’m not referring to which way they’ll vote. I mean that voters broadly understand, either instinctively or rationally, what the arguments are and where they stand. We’ve heard time and time again in this campaign how ‘confused’ the public is and how desperate for ‘facts’ voters are. Esteemed commentators have wrongly concluded that this makes people unqualified to vote on such a serious matter.<br></p><p>The opposite is true. The insatiable desire for ‘facts’, the endless letters and phone-ins and questions, tell us that voters know they are not hearing definitive predictions, but points of view and spin. They would like certainties, but they have not heard anything that amounts to one. And so they know that their vote in the referendum is really just a judgment call: whom do I trust? What risk can I bear? And, fundamentally: what do I value?</p><p> The debate over Brexit, as Britain’s potential exit from the EU is known, isn’t simple. Neither is figuring out who gets to cast a vote.<br></p><p>During world war one, the UK passed laws allowing ‘British subjects’ from across the empire to vote in UK general elections. The empire crumbled but the rights live on. People from some 53 countries can vote in the referendum as long as they live in the UK or Gibraltar, a British territory off the tip of southern Spain. People residing in Gibraltar can’t vote in general elections but got a pass for this one …</p><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Britain stays, <a href="https://twitter.com/BILD">@BILD</a> will acknowledge the Wembley goal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EUref?src=hash">#EUref</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tomorrowspaperstoday?src=hash">#Tomorrowspaperstoday</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/suttonnick">@suttonnick</a> <a href="https://t.co/DPxHo0IbK9">pic.twitter.com/DPxHo0IbK9</a></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/31/eu-referendum-morning-briefing-sign-up">EU referendum morning briefing - sign up here</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave">Continue reading...</a>EU referendum and BrexitEuropean UnionEuropePoliticsWorld newsUK newsThu, 23 Jun 2016 21:02:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leavePhotograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/ReutersPhotograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/ReutersClaire Phipps, Matthew Weaver, Haroon Siddique and Ben Quinn2016-06-23T21:02:51ZGoogle's DeepMind shouldn't suck up our NHS records in secrethttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/04/googles-deepmind-shouldnt-be-sucking-up-our-nhs-records-in-secret
<p>The revelation that 1.6 million patients’ records are being used by the company’s artificial intelligence arm rings alarm bells</p><p> When it was revealed that Google’s London-based company DeepMind would be able to access the NHS records of 1.6 million patients who use three London hospitals run by the Royal Free NHS trust – Barnet, Chase Farm and the Royal Free – it rang alarm bells.</p><p> Not just because the British fiercely guard their intimate medical histories. Not just because Google, a sprawling octopus of a company with tentacles in all our lives, wishes to “organise the world’s information”. Not just because patients are unlikely to have consented to Google having this information.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/04/googles-deepmind-shouldnt-be-sucking-up-our-nhs-records-in-secret">Continue reading...</a>Artificial intelligence (AI)ComputingTechnologyNHSSocietyHealthGoogleLondonUK newsWed, 04 May 2016 14:36:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/04/googles-deepmind-shouldnt-be-sucking-up-our-nhs-records-in-secretPhotograph: Ahn Young-joon/APPhotograph: Ahn Young-joon/APRandeep Ramesh2016-05-04T14:36:20ZZac Goldsmith received £46,000 linked to luxury flat developershttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/03/luxury-flat-developers-reuben-linked-to-46000-of-donations-to-zac-goldsmith
<p>Reuben brothers are behind Millbank Tower project, which has no affordable housing, and children are supporters of the Tory London mayoral hopeful</p><p>The billionaire property investors David and Simon Reuben have been linked to £46,000 in donations received by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/zac-goldsmith">Zac Goldsmith</a>. The developers last week secured approval for a controversial proposal to turn a London landmark into hundreds of luxury flats from the incumbent mayor, Boris Johnson.</p><p> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/03/luxury-flat-developers-reuben-linked-to-46000-of-donations-to-zac-goldsmith">Continue reading...</a>Zac GoldsmithLondon mayoral election 2016Mayoral electionsConservativesUK newsHousingPoliticsLocal governmentLocal politicsSocietyCommunitiesLondonBoris JohnsonTue, 03 May 2016 18:54:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/03/luxury-flat-developers-reuben-linked-to-46000-of-donations-to-zac-goldsmithPhotograph: AlamyPhotograph: AlamyRandeep Ramesh2016-05-03T18:54:33ZTony Blair courted Chinese leaders for Saudi prince's oil firmhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoy
<ul><li>Former PM helped PetroSaudi break into Chinese market</li><li>His firm was paid £41,000 a month plus 2% commission</li><li>Blair held role as Middle East peace envoy at the time<br></li></ul><p>Tony Blair obtained a “blessing” from Chinese leaders for a company owned by a Saudi prince to do business in China as part of an arrangement that paid the former UK prime minister’s firm £41,000 a month and a 2% commission on any multimillion-pound contracts he helped to secure.</p><p>A series of documents, seen by the Guardian, show how Blair courted some of the most influential Chinese political leaders in 2010 and then introduced them to the Saudi-owned company he worked with, PetroSaudi. The company was not allowed to divulge his role without permission, according to the contract.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/petrosaudi-tony-blair-emails-oil-company-chinese">Tony Blair: the former PM for hire</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoy">Continue reading...</a>Tony BlairOilSaudi ArabiaChinaAsia PacificBusinessCommoditiesMiddle East and North AfricaPoliticsWorld newsUK newsThu, 28 Apr 2016 21:00:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoyPhotograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty ImagesRandeep Ramesh2016-04-28T21:00:27ZTony Blair: the former PM for hirehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/petrosaudi-tony-blair-emails-oil-company-chinese
<p>Emails show oil firm questioned complex structure of Blair’s company, and reveal his closeness to Chinese leadership</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoy">Revealed: Blair courted Chinese leaders for Saudi prince’s oil firm</a></p><p>When Jonathan Powell, the gatekeeper to the corporate empire of Tony Blair, sat down to lunch with the former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Faisal Al Turki in June 2010 he could not have known how lucrative it would turn out to be for the former British prime minister.</p><p>As the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/27/tony-blair-resigns-as-middle-east-peace-envoy-report">high-profile mediator of the stuttering peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a>, Blair had to be careful not to mix business with pleasure. However, one of those lunching with Powell at the annual “global mediator’s retreat”, organised by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was looking to make a deal.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/tony-blair-chinese-leaders-saudi-princes-oil-firm-middle-east-envoy">Tony Blair courted Chinese leaders for Saudi prince's oil firm</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/petrosaudi-tony-blair-emails-oil-company-chinese">Continue reading...</a>Tony BlairChinaSaudi ArabiaOilAsia PacificBusinessCommoditiesMiddle East and North AfricaPoliticsWorld newsUK newsThu, 28 Apr 2016 21:00:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/28/petrosaudi-tony-blair-emails-oil-company-chinesePhotograph: Rex/ShutterstockPhotograph: Rex/ShutterstockRandeep Ramesh2016-04-28T21:00:27ZLondon mayoral race: Zac Goldsmith accused of playing with firehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/london-mayoral-race-zac-goldsmith-accused-of-playing-with-fire
<p>Critics detect influence of Lynton Crosby in Tory candidate’s ‘divisive’ approach to Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in capital</p><p>On a London council estate last week, Zac Goldsmith – the Conservatives’ mayoral candidate – launched his manifesto with pledges on transport, housing and jobs. When he sits down to talk to reporters, no one asks about any of that.<br></p><p>Instead there’s just one subject he’s quizzed on: the racial politics of London. “Are you a racist?” is one of first questions. “Absurd,” replies the candidate. Things go downhill from there.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2016/apr/14/london-mayor-race-boris-johnson-and-coiled-leopard-sadiq-khan">London mayor race: Boris Johnson and 'coiled leopard' Sadiq Khan</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/12/zac-goldsmith-accuses-rival-sadiq-khan-of-giving-cover-to-extremists">Zac Goldsmith accuses Sadiq Khan of 'giving cover to extremists'</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2016/feb/22/london-mayor-race-zac-and-sadiq-fight-for-suburban-doughnut">London mayor race: Zac and Sadiq fight for suburban doughnut</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/london-mayoral-race-zac-goldsmith-accused-of-playing-with-fire">Continue reading...</a>Zac GoldsmithSadiq KhanPoliticsUK newsLondon mayoral election 2016IslamHinduismLynton CrosbySikhismReligionFri, 15 Apr 2016 17:41:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/london-mayoral-race-zac-goldsmith-accused-of-playing-with-firePhotograph: Philip Toscano/PAPhotograph: Philip Toscano/PARandeep Ramesh Social affairs editor2016-04-15T17:41:51ZZac Goldsmith did not declare family interest in green grant cutshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/zac-goldsmith-did-not-declare-family-interest-in-green-grant-cuts
<p>Tory mayoral candidate asked questions in parliament about cuts that affected brother Ben’s investments in solar energy firm</p><p>The Conservative mayoral candidate asked questions in parliament about cuts in green grants that affected solar energy companies owned by his younger brother, but did not declare an indirect interest.</p><p>Zac Goldsmith put down <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?q=solar&amp;pid=24911">six questions</a> between November 2011 and February 2012 after the government announced it would slash subsidies to the solar industry. Goldsmith <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2011-11-23b.381.2">warned MPs that there was panic</a> in the industry over ministers’ plans.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/davehillblog/2016/apr/14/london-mayor-goldsmith-attacks-backfire-as-repellent-imams-tory-links-emerge">London mayor: Goldsmith embarrassed as ‘repellent’ imam’s Tory links emerge</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/apr/14/london-mayoral-election-qa-on-cycling-policy-with-the-main-candidates">Who's the most cycling-friendly London mayoral candidate?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/zac-goldsmith-did-not-declare-family-interest-in-green-grant-cuts">Continue reading...</a>Zac GoldsmithPoliticsUK newsMayoral electionsLondonLocal governmentLocal politicsSocietySolar powerEnergyEnvironmentRenewable energyHouse of CommonsFri, 15 Apr 2016 06:00:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/15/zac-goldsmith-did-not-declare-family-interest-in-green-grant-cutsPhotograph: Carl Court/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Carl Court/Getty ImagesRandeep Ramesh2016-04-15T06:00:14ZZac Goldsmith accuses Sadiq Khan of 'giving cover to extremists'https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/12/zac-goldsmith-accuses-rival-sadiq-khan-of-giving-cover-to-extremists
<p>Tory candidate for London mayor accuses his rival of helping ‘those who seek to harm our police and capital’</p><p>Zac Goldsmith, the Tory mayoral candidate for London, cast himself as on the side of the “heroes” while his Labour rival’s career “involved coaching people how to sue our police”.</p><p>At the launch of Goldsmith’smanifesto, which focused on green issues, housing and transport, the Tory MP opened a new front over law and order claiming his opponent would be soft on crime because he “provided cover for extremists”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/05/zac-goldsmith-fails-quiz-london-football-teams-tube-stations">Zac Goldsmith flounders in quiz on London football teams and tube stations</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/12/zac-goldsmith-accuses-rival-sadiq-khan-of-giving-cover-to-extremists">Continue reading...</a>London mayoral election 2016Zac GoldsmithPoliticsUK newsSadiq KhanLondonTue, 12 Apr 2016 11:37:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/12/zac-goldsmith-accuses-rival-sadiq-khan-of-giving-cover-to-extremistsPhotograph: Stefan Rousseau/PAPhotograph: Stefan Rousseau/PARandeep Ramesh2016-04-12T11:37:28ZNew UK rules to stop problem gambling won't work, campaigners sayhttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/04/problem-gamblers-new-regulations-stop-wont-work-campaigners-warn
<p>From this week betting shops must share information on addicts who have ‘self-excluded’ themselves from bookmakers </p><p>A new regulatory system meant to allow staff at betting shops to identify and bar problem gamblers has been criticised as ineffectual by addicts and campaigners.</p><p>From this week bookmakers will have to conduct local area risk assessments to explain how they are going to mitigate crime and the effect on vulnerable people. Significantly, they will have to share information on problem gamblers who have “self-excluded” themselves from betting shops. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/02/gambling-commission-paddy-power-bookies-regulator-protecting-vulnerable">The bookies regulator is taking a gamble over protecting the vulnerable | Matt Zarb-Cousin</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/29/paddy-power-encouraged-gambler-lost-home-jobs-family-gambling-commission-report">Paddy Power 'encouraged gambler until he lost his home, jobs and family'</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/04/problem-gamblers-new-regulations-stop-wont-work-campaigners-warn">Continue reading...</a>GamblingFixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs)SocietyUK newsRegulatorsBusinessMon, 04 Apr 2016 16:00:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/04/problem-gamblers-new-regulations-stop-wont-work-campaigners-warnPhotograph: Felix Clay for the GuardianPhotograph: Felix Clay for the GuardianRandeep Ramesh2016-04-04T16:00:55ZSAS deployed in Libya since start of year, says leaked memohttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/25/sas-deployed-libya-start-year-leaked-memo-king-abdullah
<p>King Abdullah of Jordan indicates US was briefed about plans for Jordanian special forces to operate alongside British</p><p>SAS forces have been deployed in Libya since the beginning of the year, according to a confidential briefing given to US congressional leaders by the king of Jordan.</p><p>A leaked memo indicates the US lawmakers were personally briefed by King Abdullah in January about plans for Jordan’s special forces to operate in the country alongside the British. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/03/syrian-refugees-jordan-london-conference">Syrian refugees in Jordan: 'If they cut the coupons, we will probably die'</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/11/obama-did-not-mean-to-criticise-cameron-over-libya-says-white-house">Obama did not mean to criticise Cameron over Libya, says White House</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/25/sas-deployed-libya-start-year-leaked-memo-king-abdullah">Continue reading...</a>LibyaJordanForeign policyKing AbdullahAfricaMiddle East and North AfricaPoliticsUK newsWorld newsMilitaryMinistry of DefenceBritish ArmyFri, 25 Mar 2016 12:43:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/25/sas-deployed-libya-start-year-leaked-memo-king-abdullahPhotograph: Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty ImagesRandeep Ramesh2016-03-25T12:43:40ZBangladesh government angered by Danczuk's call for sanctionshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/24/bangladesh-government-angered-simon-danczuk-sanctions
<p>Suspended Labour MP addressed opposition supporters in Dhaka, saying government has created ‘culture of fear’</p><p>Simon Danczuk, the suspended Labour MP <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/18/simon-danczuk-labour-agrees-repay-expenses">ordered to repay £11,000</a> in expenses, has come under fire by Bangladesh’s government for interfering in its “internal affairs” after he flew to Dhaka and called for sanctions to be imposed on the south Asian nation.</p><p>Danczuk, who flew to the Bangladeshi capital on Friday, addressed tens of thousands of supporters of the opposition Bangladesh National party – telling them that since taking power, the current government had created a “culture of fear” with a “break down in human rights ... and political opponents disappearing”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/24/bangladesh-government-angered-simon-danczuk-sanctions">Continue reading...</a>Simon DanczukBangladeshForeign policyWorld newsSouth and Central AsiaPoliticsUK newsThu, 24 Mar 2016 08:00:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/mar/24/bangladesh-government-angered-simon-danczuk-sanctionsPhotograph: Jon Super for the GuardianPhotograph: Jon Super for the GuardianRandeep Ramesh2016-03-24T08:00:14ZEx-wife of Saudi billionaire wins right to claim slice of his fortunehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/ex-wife-saudi-billionaire-sheikh-walid-juffali-right-claim-slice-fortune
<p>Court of appeal ruled that Sheikh Walid Juffali’s plea of diplomatic immunity was irrelevant in maintenance battle </p><p>The ex-wife of a Saudi billionaire has won the right to make a claim on his fortune after the court of appeal ruled that the man’s diplomatic immunity was irrelevant to the case. Sheikh Walid Juffali is being sued by Christina Estrada, a former Pirelli calendar girl, for a share of his £4bn fortune after the couple, who had been married for 13 years, split up.</p><p>The bench, headed by the master of the rolls, Lord Dyson, had been forced to consider whether the high court was right to dismiss as “spurious” the Saudi businessman’s claim to have been protected from litigation because of his role as permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the Caribbean island of St Lucia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/ex-wife-saudi-billionaire-sheikh-walid-juffali-right-claim-slice-fortune">Continue reading...</a>Saudi ArabiaDivorcePhilip HammondLondonUK newsMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsWed, 23 Mar 2016 11:29:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/ex-wife-saudi-billionaire-sheikh-walid-juffali-right-claim-slice-fortunePhotograph: Richard Young/Rex/ShutterstockPhotograph: Richard Young/Rex/ShutterstockRandeep Ramesh2016-03-23T11:29:03Z